This manual was designed primarily for use by individuals with developmental disabilities and related conditions. It is hoped that it is also useful for families, as well as service coordinators and providers who directly assist families and individuals with developmental disabilities. The main focus of this manual is to provide easy-to-read…

This article presents guidelines for providing individuals with severe disabilities with a wide range of personal choices. It provides a rationale for teaching all individuals to participate in meaningful choice-making; describes basic types of choices; and suggests ways to generalize choice-making skills across settings, times, and people. (DB)

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…

This article explores implications of people's interpretations of communicative efforts by people with severe disabilities. Recent initiatives to support and promote self-determination are critically assessed as possibly functioning to limit self-determination. Use of preference assessments and behavior supports is discussed as a key to…

This report describes several barriers to self-determination for adults with severe disabilities, translates key components of self-determination into guidelines for support providers' practice, provides an example of how support for self-determination was implemented for one woman, and examines unresolved challenges in making self-determination a…

Staff training at inclusive camps should include disability awareness exercises such as having counselors get around camp in a wheelchair. Techniques for handling health issues and helping campers through transitions are presented. During camp, have enough staff or volunteers to support campers with special needs. Disability awareness exercises…

Examines five critical factors in creating accessible camping programs for children with disabilities: program mission expressing inclusivity and empowerment, staff training that creates awareness and skills for inclusive programming, fully accessible facilities, shift in program design from "accessible program model" to "universal design," and…

Parents are offered simple suggestions for increasing the participation of a child with disabilities in typical domestic, recreational, and social activities. Activities include making gifts, setting the table, and utilizing common objects in adaptive ways. (DB)

Parents are offered simple suggestions for increasing the participation of a child with disabilities in typical activities. Activities include developing self-help skills, rolling coins, crushing cans, helping with mailings, and decorating for the holidays. (DB)

This manual describes the "Friends" project, a year-long effort in Minnesota to develop methods for the staff of residential service agencies to support people with developmental disabilities in establishing friendships with nondisabled people in their communities. Six agencies around the state selected a total of 23 individuals (ages 11…

Results of six demonstration/research projects at outdoor education and interpretive facilities indicate that these inclusive outdoor programs were effective in terms of participation, peer acceptance, and learning outcomes for children and adolescents with and without disabilities. Programming recommendations focus on environmental awareness as a…

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for assessment and individualized education program (IEP) planning teams regarding the consideration of assistive technology. The guidelines provide recommended practices that will assist teams in making decisions about an individual student's need for assistive technology and a decision-making…

Written primarily by camp administrators affiliated with the National Easter Seal Society, this publication is designed to help camp directors meet the challenges of including campers of all abilities in their camp programs. The first section provides an overview of the inclusion concept in general and at camp, and discusses legal and medical…

This guide presents a comprehensive framework for the development and provision of outdoor education and adventure programs for people of all abilities, including those who significantly challenge the service delivery system. Chapter 1 provides a rationale for the integration of disabled persons into outdoor education and adventure programs, and…

This guide promotes the use of natural supports to assist individuals with severe disabilities. The first two sections review the development of natural supports in the workplace, including changes in perspectives on the role of persons with disabilities, utilization issues, and the definition of natural supports. A seven-step process reflecting…