This brief introduces the Global Research Agenda for Children with Disabilities that sets out critical challenges: widespread data gaps, research underfunding, and limited visibility of children with disabilities in research. It sets out not only what needs to be studied, but how--emphasising ethical, participatory approaches and cross-cutting…

This study reports on an investigation of barriers that prevent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from fully participating in the federal disability and rehabilitation research and development (R&D) agenda. The Delphi technique was used to examine panelists' perceptions on the importance of contextual R&D barriers…

This research plan describes a framework for defining and developing the field of rehabilitation sciences and research opportunities for the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) and other agencies funding medical rehabilitation research. The plan addresses the needs of both persons who are involved in habilitation and in…

A rebuttal to three responses to an article opposing use of the natural science-technical model in special education research suggests that the responses demonstrate a continuing vitality of the positivist ideology critically opposed in the original article. (Author/CB)

This document presents the long-range (5-year) plan of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The plan is organized around two key elements; first, a new paradigm of disability that sees disability as a product of the interaction between individual characteristics and the environment, and second, an emerging…

This conference report summarizes presentations and discussions of a workshop on vocational rehabilitation and behavioral and social sciences research, which was intended to promote exchange of information within the research community, better management and planning within research projects sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and…

This article describes a new Regional Rehabilitation Research Institute at George Washington University and gives a conceptual framework and some aspects of the research methodology. The theme of the Institute is "Barriers to the Disabled: Attitudinal, Legal, and Leisure." (Author)

This monograph reports the proceedings of the Multimedia Technology Seminar and consists of presented papers as well as summaries of demonstration and discussion sessions. Sessions covered the following topics: the role of learning theory in the development and application of multimedia technologies in special education; multimedia research in…

The role of research in the future of special education is discussed. The impact of research on practice is exemplified in the rise of the mainstreaming movement from research findings unable to find benefits in special class instruction for the mildly handicapped. The continuing ambivalence of the practitioner toward research is noted. The past…

The editors of this journal comment on an article by John Johnson and Frank Rusch (EC 606 176), which reported that few of the recommended "best practices" in transitional services are actually supported by empirical data. The editorial urges greater empirical investigation in the field of career development, especially research on "best…

This paper describes research needs in light of changes taking place in school-based practice in both general and special education. The tenets of educational reform and societal concerns fueling demands for reform are identified. The context in which changes in educational practices are occurring is described, focusing on evolving relationships…

This monograph analyzes the empirical literature on multicultural teacher education. The first section summarizes the existing literature in general education and points out strengths and weaknesses. Noted are a pervasive lack of answers to many questions and a dearth of empirical research on multicultural preservice teacher education. The paper…

The written testimony of the authors before the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education in April, 2002, identifies five areas of needed effort in early childhood special education research: (1) early identification and eligibility; (2) services; (3) outcomes; (4) infrastructure; and (5) the research funding process. Specific…

Noting that the number of students served in special education programs has increased at alarming rates since 1975, this paper posits that this increase is due to recent social and political variables and their impact on the educational system. Special emphasis is placed on how state and local educational leaders respond to national education…

As part of a 3-year study to identify emerging issues and trends in technology for special education, this paper addresses the possible contributions of virtual reality technology to educational services for students with disabilities. An example of the use of virtual reality in medical imaging introduces the paper and leads to a brief review of…