Participating in outside activities and community-based endeavors can be tricky for people with special needs, like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Families meet more than a few obstacles attempting to integrate their children or teens who have special needs like ASD. Most typical children are highly involved in sports, clubs and camps. If a…

Reports such as this typically begin with a statistic designed to highlight a problem. The girls and boys to whom this edition of "The State of the World's Children" is dedicated are not problems. Rather, each is a sister, brother or friend who has a favourite dish, song or game; a daughter or son with dreams and the desire to fulfil…

The work group report identifies three priority areas for improved community services for disabled adolescents: (1) service systems deficient because of lack of consumer orientation, integration, access to services and systemwide planning, (2) inadequate leadership, and (3) lack of adequate accountability. (CL)

Examined whether a community-based habilitation program focusing on normalization and individual goal setting was effective in enhancing levels of independence in teenagers with spina bifida. Subjects (N=14) participated in an eight-week summer program. Results suggested the program was effective with the greatest strength being support and…

Preparation must begin with disabled teenagers to encourage the transition to independent living. Collaboration of family, teenager, and community should be supported to offer a "REACH Program": (1) relationship with family, friends, and self; (2) expectation that community living is a goal; (3) accessibility; (4) counseling in home management and…

The "Colorado Children's Budget" presents and analyzes investments and spending trends during the past five state fiscal years on services that benefit children. The "Children's Budget" focuses mainly on state investment and spending, with some analysis of federal investments and spending to provide broader context of state…

This manual is designed for individuals, community organizations, and groups that wish to become Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC). The competition for these grants is issued by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office of Special Education Programs. The handbook provides…

The Manhattan Transition Center provides supported employment for youth with mild to severe disabilities. Local enclave worksites staffed by teacher/paraprofessional teams place participants in jobs. Under the zero-reject policy, employers and service providers are responsible for participants' personal and work-related growth. (SK)

Presented are guidelines on planning and establishing a small, residential halfway house for the male adolescent/adult retardate in which mental health and use of the halfway house to replace institutionalization of selected retardates are emphasized. The halfway house is explained to be planned on premises of community participation and program…

This article traces the history of transition programs for adolescents with disabilities and the role that transition plays within current reform efforts. Best practices are discussed and strategies for school programs are provided, including individualized planning, involvement of family and support networks, a focus on community outcomes, and…

A project to demonstrate and evaluate some innovative programs utilizing volunteers in work with the handicapped and to provide data on the success of present programs is discussed. As part of the project, four pilot projects were undertaken to determine the feasibility and utility of certain approaches and to develop model training courses that…

This summary on transition planning provides ideas and information on how students, families, school personnel, service providers, and others can work together to help students with a disability make a smooth transition after leaving high school. It focuses on creative transition planning and services that use all the resources that exist in…

Intended for parents, school personnel, and leisure staff, this booklet outlines ways a community can overcome obstacles that keep youth with disabilities from enjoying their leisure. First the nature of leisure is considered and a self-evaluation questionnaire is presented. Consideration of leisure in the lives of teenagers with disabilities…

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the child and youth care field in Canada. It covers a spectrum of key concerns within the field of child and youth care, and presents an analysis that spans a variety of program areas. The 12 chapters in the book are: (1) "The Scope of Child and Youth Care in Canada" (Roy Ferguson and…

This guide for 4-H leaders and volunteers offers information to help integrate youth with disabilities into various 4-H programs. After an introduction, a section on 4-H and mainstreaming reviews the mission of 4-H; considers what 4-H has to offer youth; defines mainstreaming; notes the benefits of mainstreaming; and distinguishes among the terms…