Informal science education (ISE) experiences can provide powerful opportunities for people with disabilities to experience and learn about science. When designed to be inclusive, such experiences can lead people with disabilities to feel competent and empowered as science learners, generate excitement and enthusiasm for science, and be equitable…

The purpose of this study was to examine the social participation of young children with disabilities in inclusive preschool programs. One hundred forty-three preschool-aged children with disabilities were observed in classrooms representing four organizational contexts: community-based, Head Start, public school, and blended. Children's and…

The paper is a product of the 3-year project, "Functional Mainstreaming for Success," designed to develop a model for instructional mainstreaming of handicapped children (3-6 years old) in community settings. The paper reviews the literature defining "mainstreaming," notes that mainstreaming is not the wholesale return of exceptional students from…

Community-based rehabilitation for disabled people has proved to have serious shortcomings, especially in terms of vocational training. The broader concept of community integration programs involves disabled people and local institutions in training and employment efforts to integrate the disabled into normal community life. (SK)

A model for a community youth football program that includes disabled youth identifies five divisions of restriction based on: the amount of physical contact; level of activity strenuousness; emphasis on competition and winning; and special accommodations required. Handicapped youth football programs emphasize skill development and provide…

The friendship status of 58 preschoolers with disabilities in inclusive child care settings in North Carolina was examined. The majority of children were found to have at least one friend. Associated factors included diagnosis, developmental level, behavioral characteristics, characteristics of the friend, similarities between the child and the…

The paper is a product of the 3-year project, "Functional Mainstreaming for Success," designed to develop a model for instructional mainstreaming of handicapped children (3-6 years old) in community settings. Evidence is presented of major competency deficiencies in both the pre-service and inservice training of regular teachers being asked to…

The community of Austin, Texas has several programs for after school day care for students with disabilities, including: Extend-A-Care, where nondisabled peers participate in play and care activities with disabled children; summer camps for autistic children sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department; and summer camps operated by the Easter…

Discusses why individuals with disabilities participate in sport, introducing the broad array of sport opportunities available to them. A four-level continuum of sport opportunities for individuals with disabilities is described, providing examples of implementation at each level. Questions, challenges, and suggestions for program organizers are…

This collection of over 30 papers presents the view that all persons should be equally valued, provided equal opportunities, viewed as unique individuals, and be exposed to and learn from and about people with diverse characteristics. The papers offer insight into the process of moving forward to achieve both equity and excellence for all Canadian…

This paper focuses on the integration of preschool children with moderate to profound disabilities in a day care center. The paper offers a rationale for day care integration, outlines best practice components, and describes a program which merged an early intervention program for children with disabilities with a community-based child care…

Designed as an operating manual, the document is designed to strengthen the efforts between Monroe County Community Action Program (M.C.C.A.P.) Head Start and other services helping meet the needs of the handicapped child, to insure continuity of experiences for handicapped children moving from Head Start into the public school systems of Monroe…

This article presents the 2006 honorees, sponsors, and teams for the Disability Awareness Night[TM]. Disability Awareness Night[TM] is a unique and powerful community outreach program. Its vision is to continue to raise awareness outside of the community of individuals with disabilities to continue the goal that this program will open doors to…

This newsletter focuses on what works in inclusive education. A major article is "Inclusive Education: Needs of Minnesota Families--Major Findings from a 'Together We're Better' Study." This article presents findings of a statewide survey of families of children with disabilities. Findings are categorized within four areas: (1)…

Initiated in a large urban elementary school, a practicum was planned and executed to inform staff and parents about the provisions of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), and to prepare them for the changes to occur as a program was indicated by: (1) the report of the visitation team (a parent advocate group), (2)…