The tiny, multicultural nation of Singapore has a long history of provisions for gifted students. Beliefs about ability and talent development are strongly influenced by traditional Confucian perspectives that view environmental factors as dominant in the development of talent. Early identification is not stressed and working hard is emphasized at…

Since the initiation of PL 94-142 enacted by the United States Congress in 1975, special education has been mandated, funded and regulated by the federal government. There have been both benefits and drawbacks to this initiative. In positive terms and most importantly, children who require different educational services are identified, and…

Getting in shape and staying in shape is not easy for anyone, but for the millions of Americans with disabilities, it is a significant challenge. An astonishing 56 percent of individuals with disabilities get no physical activity at all, according to a report conducted by Healthy People 2010. By utilizing an American fixture like gyms, many people…

While the rest of the (neurotypical) parenting world breathlessly awaits the first day of school, some parents are hauling out 62 lbs. of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) paperwork--and wondering what to do with it this year. The progress reports. The evaluations. The standardized tests. The work samples. And finally, the 18-page,…

This article features Sesame Place, the nation's only theme park based entirely on the award-winning television program "Sesame Street" located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arranged through the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Variety--The Children's Charity, Sesame Place has hosted over 200,000 guests associated with Variety and…

Research suggests that 40 percent of college-age students with disabilities in the United States are enrolled in community colleges. Two-year colleges for a long time have been billed as ideal places for students with special needs to continue their educations, especially when those needs dictate that they remain closer to home. However, some…

This series of articles focuses on the provision of special recreation services in the community for a variety of populations including the elderly, latch-key kids, cardiac patients, physically and mentally disturbed children, adolescents, adults, juveniles, and the multihandicapped. The quest for "recreation for all" on a national level requires…

Special Olympics programs have done much to help in the normalization of retarded and disabled individuals. This article suggests problems in the program that tend to label all retarded people as "kids." Ideas for placing a greater emphasis on normalization are discussed. (DF)

This brief provides an example of how to create and sustain an e-mentoring community to promote the success of youth with disabilities in school, careers, and other life experiences. Established in 1992, the DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) e-mentoring community may have been the first intentional Internet-based…

This booklet uses a question-and-answer format to provide information on the 1990 reauthorization of the Vocational Education Act of 1963, focusing primarily on provisions which guarantee students with disabilities access to quality vocational programs and the supplementary services needed for their successful completion of such programs. The…

Caring for a pet can give handicapped children a new sense of responsibility and self-esteem. The value of pet therapy is discussed, and examples of the sometimes dramatic response of handicapped children who participate in such programs are cited. Guidelines for choosing a pet are included. (PP)

A format for half-day or weekend projects that permit physically and/or mentally disabled persons to participate in special dance programs on college campuses is presented. The programs would be conducted by university students, with faculty supervision. Suggestions for adapting dance activities to meet the needs of the disabled are included. (PP)

A model program for providing recreational and leisure services to special populations within the school system is described. (JMF)

Explores benefits and impacts of outdoor leadership development programs upon disabled individuals, their friends, and program staff members. Explains four outdoor therapeutic recreation program models developed at Indiana University's Bradford Woods Outdoor Education, Recreation and Camping Center. Contains seven references. (TES)

Parents of handicapped children have special needs that can be addressed by the local parent-teacher association. Findings are offered from a study in Dallas which focused on how families cope with disabled children. (DF)