The development of effective community integration training programs for persons with severe handicaps is examined in terms of the human needs of severely disabled persons, the importance of comprehension and community-oriented training, emphasis on generalization, and consideration of individual preferences and interests. (CL)

The report presents results from an evaluation of the "Side-by-Side" program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, designed to integrate institutionalized severely handicapped high school students into the public school system. Following a brief review of the program's history and a description of the evaluation's in-depth interview approach, the program's…

Project Mainstream, a regional program for adolescents with severe special needs, aimed for maximum integration through involving students in common activities. A peer tutoring program was implemented based on needs of high school students for involvement, information, instruction, independence, and interaction. Peer tutors were instructed…

This paper presents five systematic phases for bringing about successful regular education inclusion of students with severe disabilities. Phases include develop networks within the community, assess school and community resources, review strategies for integration, install strategies that lead to integration, and develop a system of feedback and…

Describes a severely disabled child's successful integration into a class of 22 first graders at a suburban Atlanta elementary school. Katie, who experienced visual impairment, multiple physical disabilities, and moderate intellectual disability, received two hours of support from a special-education teacher assistant and additional help from…

This module was developed as part of a federally funded study group project, to answer the question of how students with severe disabilities can actively participate in lessons within regular elementary classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers, while still meeting their individualized goals and objectives. The module presents a brief overview…

Administrators trying to implement P.L. 94-142 will face problems in six areas: identification of the students, placement, personnel, individualized educational plans, procedural safeguards, and professional rights and responsibilities. (Author/IRT)

Evaluation of the 1-year program for approximately 25 seriously emotionally disturbed older adolescents involved a review of the program design (objectives and organization), the planning process, interviews with staff, and analysis of data about student progress. Interviews were conducted with 11 staff members to elicit information on such topics…

This article presents a four-step strategy for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for severely disabled learners based on principles of age-appropriate participation in regular classes and special education and related services provided in the regular school environment. Stressed are integration, individualization, teamwork,…

This article reports the experiences of one school district as it moved from serving students with severe disabilities in segregated programs to a full inclusion model. Year one focused on getting started, planning, and beginning integration efforts and year two on implementation of a structured peer integration program. Applicability of the full…

This paper describes the development and establishment of an inclusive education program on a junior high school campus. Although this is the documentation of secondary programming, with an emphasis on severe disabilities, these "phases" can be generalized to other program areas and levels of education. During phase I, a functional,…

The Inclusive Education Project was a collaborative demonstration project between the Division of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Syracuse University and the Syracuse City School District, in New York. It was designed to meet special problems of children with severe handicaps in regular education settings. Project goals included: (1)…

This manual puts forth strategies for integrating students with severe disabilities, which have been successfully implemented by administrators and teachers in public schools. A sequential set of suggestions and practical examples to help administrators plan integration policy is also featured. The first chapter describes a conflict between a…

The manual describes the Special Friends Program, an approach to prepare handicapped and nonhandicapped children for social interactions with one another. The program emphasizes social, play, and leisure interchanges that facilitate social skill development by both severely handicapped and nonhandicapped children. Following a review of the…

This needs assessment instrument was developed as part of the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a California project to integrate students with severe disabilities who were previously at special centers into services at regular school sites and students who were in special classes in regular schools into general…