The senator from Massachusetts introduces this special issue by reviewing his family's interest in persons with mental retardation, the potential of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) program, and the importance of improving care for residents of ICFs. (DB)

The father of a boy with autism reports on the events and emotions accompanying the presidential signing of Public Law 101-336, the Americans with Disabilities Act. A chart outlines the law's titles (employment, public service, public accommodations, telecommunications, and miscellaneous provisions); effective dates; regulatory deadlines; and…