This article reviews relevant theory and the practical implications of measuring assistive technology outcomes of students with disabilities. Rasch Measurement Scaling, Time Series Concurrent and Differential Approach, and the Multi-Attribute Utility Model are proposed for potential use in assistive technology outcome measurement and future…

Coaches and players were assisted in modifying select rules of a girls' fast-pitch softball league so as to accommodate the skill limitations of a player with moderate to severe disabilities. The girl's batting average and on-base average indicated that modifications were effective. The player was well received by her teammates and other teams.…

An early childhood special education program to foster appreciation of diversity is described. Suggestions are offered for ways to use books and activities to celebrate diversity. Sociograms before and after the program indicated improved attitudes by most children toward peers of diverse colors, cultures, and backgrounds. (DB)

This article discusses critical components needed to ensure a durable and substantive role for self-determination in the field of developmental disabilities: a conceptually compelling and operational description of self-determination, a reliable assessment method, and documentation that efforts to improve self-determination are associated with…

This response to a previous article (EC 625 845) on the needs and challenges related to the assessment of self-determination in the field of developmental disability, identifies issues related to the use and abuse of assessing self-determination and suggests an empowerment evaluation approach to these efforts. (Contains four references.)…

The University of Arizona Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center is profiled. The Center provides students with learning disabilities the skills and services needed during undergraduate experiences so that success is achieved when they enter graduate or professional programs. Data associated with the success of the SALT Center are…

Assessed the outcome of a therapeutic horseback riding program for adults with physical disabilities. A one-group, pre- test/post-test design was used to evaluate changes on level of physical and global self-efficacy. Behavioral indices of self-confidence were also evaluated. Physical self-efficacy and behavioral self-confidence increased from…

Recent literature has demonstrated increasing roles for school counselors who work with students with disabilities, but it has also suggested that school counselors are not being adequately prepared to work with these students. In this research study, the authors investigated current courses and experiences focusing on disabilities offered in…

A 12-week pilot project on physical activity was introduced in a day habilitation setting to a group of 12 older adults with intellectual disability and a variety of physical and behavioral conditions. Our purpose was to determine whether (a) this intervention would positively impact physical function in this population, (b) consumers would choose…

As federal special education laws change once again--with the passage of the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) amendments--what impact is it likely to have for parents, students, teachers, evaluators, school administrators, and the courts? This article describes the actions the author, an attorney within the…

This study represents an initial effort to determine the content of induction programs to improve beginning teachers' instructional performance. The study investigated the perception of beginning teachers' instructional performance problems and explored its relationships with demographic characteristics such as years of teaching experience and…

Several multiple-probe-across-participants design studies were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of a supplemental tutoring intervention using "Read Well" (Sprick, Howard, and Fidanque, 1998-2000). In Year 1, we conducted two studies with 7 first-, second-, and third grade children (1 girl and 6 boys), who were classified as having…

This study evaluated a home-based intervention for parents with intellectual disability to promote child health and home safety in the preschool years. The intervention improved parents' ability to recognize home dangers and to handle emergencies, increased their knowledge about illness and medicines, and increased the number of safety precautions…

This article is about a training project run by Central England People First (CEPF). CEPF has been doing workshops, conferences and other training for over 10 years. It seemed like a good idea to help other people with learning difficulties to learn how to be trainers. This would help them to speak out about their lives and the services they want.…

The purpose of this study was to examine the application of the Personal and Social Responsibility Model (PSRM) in an adapted physical activity program. Although the PSRM was developed for use with underserved youth, scholars in the field of adapted physical activity have noted its potential relevance for children with disabilities. Using a…