This phenomenological research study investigated nine postsecondary programs for youth and young adults with disabilities to determine the range of supports and services provided as well as the program development process. Each program had unique features and components and those differences were typically the result of the mission, values,…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities face barriers that affect their sexual health. Sex education programmes have been developed by professionals working in the field of intellectual disabilities with the aim to overcome these barriers. The aim of this study was to explore the development of these programmes. Methods: Sex education…

Cutting-Edge provides inclusion in college for students with intellectual disabilities (SWID). Cutting-Edge students attended college by taking undergraduate courses, resided in student housing, and engaged in student-life events as well as pursued community service, internships and employment. Undergraduate students were the best means to teach…

The concept of quality of life (QOL) is increasingly being used in the field of intellectual disabilities as a conceptual and measurement framework for program planning and evaluation. This article describes the development of a QOL conceptual and measurement framework, and summarizes how this framework is currently being used both nationally and…

Described is a study providing paradigms for the development and evaluation of residential programs in storing relevant information, and in data processing. (Author)

Described in the paper by F. Hertlein, D. Konopasek, and S. Stile are the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a 3-day workshop to train professionals and paraprofessionals about mental retardation. An overview of workshop content (including sessions on normalization and behavior management) is given, and considerations in planning,…

Individual plans for people with intellectual disabilities were evaluated for quality and effectiveness in improving quality of life. Quality was assessed by rating whether goals were relevant, observable, age appropriate, necessary, timetabled, developmental, measurable, realistic, assigned to staff and improving at least one of O'Brien's five…

Presented is the first of two volumes reporting on a 2-year study of Georgia's services to the mentally retarded by the Atlanta Association for Retarded Children (AARC). Discussed in the section on organization, philosophy and methodology is the concept of normalization as an underlying philosophy of AARC. Briefly described are model programs…

Reports from 22 federal departments and agencies on their programs related to mental retardation have been compiled for submission to the President's Committee on Mental Retardation for review, analysis, and subsequent action. For each report, the overall mission is given, as well as unit identification, external programs (services or activities),…

Seven papers address the employment of individuals with mental retardation. The first cites nine values critical for employment programs, including opportunities in integrated settings and decent pay for meaningful work. The next paper offers a supported work program consisting of job placement, job-site training, ongoing assessment, and job…

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) was applied to a federal project developing curriculum materials for the mentally retarded. A 34-step process lattice and PERT chart were useful for long-range planning, supervising the activity, providing accountability, and training new staff members. (Author/DB)

Reported was the use of a paradigm for systematic program planning, evaluation, and development as illustrated by data from a study designed to develop the self-help skills of 119 severely retarded institutionalized individuals (ages 6 to 50 years). (Author/DB)

This article discusses aspects of the concept of quality of life that impact on policy development and habilitation services for persons with intellectual disability. The article contends that quality of life should not be viewed as an individual score for a person but in the larger context of a guiding principle that underlies the development,…

This paper reports on evaluation of a sex education program (the Bawnmore Personal Development Programme) and staff training for Irish individuals with mental handicap. Results indicate the need for attitude change among staff and administration toward sex education and a need for structural change in staffing arrangements to facilitate such…

An introduction to the need for day camp activities and recreational facilities for the retarded precedes a discussion of the problems involved: the recreational needs must be defined along with the nature of the programs; locations must be found; the costs of transportation and salaries must be assumed and budgeted; programs must be flexible and…