The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transitional preparatory programs from the perspective of parents and teachers in North Carolina. The following three research questions guided this research inquiry: Based on parent and teacher perspectives, how did the high school transitional program facilitate success…

Individuals with severe disabilities often face significant challenges after high school. During the last years of secondary school, transition teams develop plans for individuals who are receiving special education services. Little is known about the outcomes of those efforts. In this qualitative multiple case study, the researcher examined the…

Special education transition planning services are intended to facilitate an effective segue from education services provided in the high school to adult life. This transition can be especially problematic for students who have severe disabilities and their families. In addition, methods used to assess the effectiveness of transition planning for…

Most people with mental health problems want a paid job, but experience difficulties in obtaining one. In-depth knowledge from service users is needed about what supports their work capacity and potentials. This qualitative study aimed to explore the occupational history of people with severe mental-health problems and experiences of being…

Sheltered workshops for severely disabled persons should be reformed to emphasize job placement, transition to more independent work environments, and retraining and replacement of workshop staff. A national policy on the employment of disabled persons focusing on supported employment, least restrictive work environments, and career development is…

This background paper seeks to clarify the concept of transition for students with severe disabilities and to describe New Hampshire's response to the federal school-to-work initiatives. A conceptual framework is presented for linking educational outcomes more closely with improved adult life expectations. The framework seeks to encourage local…

This report contains selected preliminary findings from the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Service Program. The study, initiated in fall 1992, will produce a series of interim reports that address key policy questions. This third interim report presents data collected from VR consumers and their VR case files in 37 local…

This report is the first in a series of four final reports that present the findings of the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program. Initiated in fall 1992, the study has tracked VR participation and post-VR experiences of applicants to and consumers of VR services (n=8,500) for up to 3 years following exit from…

Discusses theoretical bases and practical applications of therapeutic leisure and recreation programs in assisting children with mild, moderate, severe, and profound handicaps to become more accepted by their normal peers. Examples show how such activities can be designed to create an environment to facilitate the educational treatment of…

This monograph provides a descriptive analysis of five grant programs funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in 1984. The programs were designed to stimulate the improvement and development of programs for secondary special education and to strengthen and coordinate education, training, and related services…

This volume discusses the effects of supported employment on persons with developmental and other severe disabilities, by assembling the results of research investigations conducted by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment. Papers included are: "Supported Employment in Virginia: 1980-1988" (John Kregel…

This document presents a "Quality Program Indicators Checklist" developed with the goal of program improvement in classrooms for students in Kentucky with moderate and severe handicaps. The checklist evaluates program effectiveness in six component areas: (1) integration (interaction opportunities and teacher behaviors supportive of…

This report presents an evaluation of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act, Chapter 2, Subprogram C, Special Projects program for the 1988-89 school year. The purpose of the program was to expand the knowledge and skills of job developers in placing severely handicapped students in appropriate occupational and adult service agency…

This report is the second in a series of four final reports that present the findings of the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program. Initiated in fall 1992, the study has tracked VR participation and post-VR experiences of applicants to and consumers of VR services (n=8,500) for up to 3 years following exit from…

This report contains selected preliminary findings from the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Service Program. The study, initiated in fall 1992, will produce a series of interim reports that address key policy questions. This second interim report presents data collected from VR consumers and their VR case files in 37 local…