This paper comments on three preceding papers in the same publication on the general topic of self-determination for adults with severe disabilities. Self-determination is discussed as a movement requiring major changes in culture, values, and support in the general direction of partnership and inclusion, including a more accessible approach to…

This paper comments on three preceding papers in the same publication on the general topic of self-determination for adults with severe disabilities. The author views them as competing ideologies and puts forth guidelines for evaluating any such set. The difficulty of effectively assessing the preferences of individuals with severe disabilities is…

This article reviews how the term "self-determination" has been defined and conceptualized, examines misperceptions of the term that may have contributed to the exclusion of people with severe disabilities, and seeks to find common ground to move forward to promote self-determination for people with severe disabilities. (Author/PB)

This paper comments on three preceding papers in the same publication on the general topic of self-determination for adults with severe disabilities. It is concluded that self-determination is based on community relationships more than individual decisions, and that individuals should be valued regardless of whether or not they know what they…

This paper comments on three preceding papers in the same publication on the general topic of self-determination for adults with severe disabilities. The meanings of self-determination discussed are explored as separate social and psychological components of the construct, which leads to a discussion of how the construct obliges caregivers to…

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…

This paper comments on three preceding papers in the same publication on the general topic of self-determination for adults with severe disabilities. The difficulties of defining self-determination are addressed through pragmatism, and the challenges of interpreting self-determination are illustrated through the author's experiences building…

This paper comments on three preceding papers in the same publication on the general topic of self-determination for adults with severe disabilities. The author presents his own simpler definitions of self-determination and draws on his own experience of disability to assess the other articles. Specific suggestions and general needs for policy…

Fifteen studies were reviewed and compared to document the contribution of strategies based on the concept of natural supports to supported employment and consumer outcomes. Results indicate that strategies based on the concept of natural supports are improving supported employment procedures or outcomes. (CR)

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), argues that the differing definitions of natural supports are constructive because of the evolving nature of the research, and that progressive policy is often ahead of documented knowledge, but concurs that additional research is needed. (CR)

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), argues that the principles of natural supports should not be subject to empirical testing because they function as a guide to strategy development and strategy selection. Discusses the difficulties in examining natural support strategies. (CR)

This article responds to critiques of "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood) by focusing on what was on trial, the need to define natural supports, the interaction between policy and practice, and implications of natural supports on personnel preparation. (CR)

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), discusses existing research on the effectiveness of natural supports. Describes job development and training approaches that facilitate natural supports and how supports can be responsive to the changing needs of supported employees and…

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), criticizes natural supports as a concept that is premised on the notion that people with disabilities are the only ones who need "support" and perpetuates the notion of control over persons with disabilities. (CR)