This annotated bibliography addresses issues, principles, programs, and research about respite care published in articles and books from 1978-1988. It covers a wide range of topics, from comprehensive overviews of respite issues, services, and policies to descriptions of specific respite care program models. A number of the bibliographic entries…

Twenty-nine recommendations were compiled from ideas generated by participants at the National Conference on Self- Determination, which was called by the United States Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, with over half the participants having disabilities of some kind. The participants came with different perspectives, but…

In spite of the growing awareness and development of respite services, many families in need of them have little or no access. This is especially true for families whose children have emotional handicaps. A rationale for respite services supports parents' entitlement to respite care, its importance to all family members, and its help in improving…

This article explores the current status in the United States of support to families who care for children with disabilities at home. It summarizes essential program features, program effects, and outstanding issues (such as, ensuring family involvement in policy formation, sufficient funding, and system collaboration). (DB)

Basic information about respite care for individuals with disabilities and their families is presented in a question-and-answer format. The following questions are addressed: "What is respite?"; "Who needs respite services?"; "Who provides respite services?"; "What kinds of services are provided?"; "How…

The report examines special education personnel preparation programs initiated under federal law. The evolution of the federal role in personnel preparation is reviewed beginning with the National Defense Education Act in 1958. Four federal initiatives are analyzed in detail: The Fellowship/Traineeship Program, the Program Assistance Grants, the…

This paper describes activities of Canada's Secretary of State (the ministry responsible for the status of disabled persons) toward ensuring equal access to fundamental elements of daily life. These include improving access to postsecondary education through establishment of Centres of Specialization; funding projects of national disability…

As one of a series of topic papers assessing federal laws and programs affecting persons with disabilities, this paper describes the major components of a comprehensive program to prevent disabilities, including programs to maximize health care, programs to maximize educational growth and sound psychological development, and programs for public…

Presented is a survey of current trends and issues pertaining to institutionalization and deinstitutionalization of handicapped persons in America. Chapter 1, an introduction, examines deinstitutionalization from ideological, public policy, psychosocial, and programmatic perspectives. Considered in the second chapter are obstacles that impede…

The Secretary of Education encourages special education teachers to become leaders of education reform, by developing community-level programs to achieve the six National Education Goals. Examples of America 2000 community projects are cited, and the role of special educators in past educational innovations is emphasized. (JDD)

This report examines "permanency planning" and "special needs adoption" for children with disabilities, based on the experience of Project STAR in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Project STAR (Specialized Training for Adoption Readiness) was established in 1985 to provide support services for families of children with disabilities…

This report on Colorado's efforts to develop early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families begins with a planning matrix displaying the program's philosophical base, methods, and system components. The report points out that the statewide service system should be designed to ensure access for all…

The monograph presents essential components of a decision making sequence used to incorporate formalized family assessment and service planning procedures into two existing early intervention programs in Massachusetts. The 1-year effort used a consultant to: (1) redefine screening and assessment processes to include both child and family centered…

At a time of high unemployment and increasingly constrained public resources, more and more attention is being focused on how to further the private sector's involvement in expanding opportunities for individuals, especially the hard-to-employ, to obtain long-term productive employment. Although at least 12 pieces of federal legislation that…

Many individuals with disabilities in American Indian communities have not benefited from legislated services and resources. These individuals are also hampered by inaccessibility to services and by jurisdictional debates of government agencies. Efforts to develop culturally relevant programs promoting education, rehabilitation, and independent…