This study examines the roles of co-workers and job coaches in providing natural supports to a worker with a disability. Review of research related to co-worker involvement in work settings is followed by a proposed framework for a continuum of support strategies for co-workers and job coaches and suggestions for selecting appropriate support…

A telephone survey was conducted of eight rehabilitation organizations pursuing changeover from facility-based to community-integrated services (i.e., supported employment). This paper provides information on the experience of these organizations related to their reinvestment and agency changeover to supported employment and offers…

This study assessed personal and relationship characteristics of 75 advocate-mentally retarded protege pairs involved in citizen advocacy relationships. Results suggested that satisfaction with advocacy relationships is more a function of what advocates and proteges do together than of their personal traits. (DB)

A study of co-worker involvement among 264 supported employees found that, of 7 types of involvement, "associating" occurred most often, followed by "evaluating" and "training." Employees in mobile work crews experienced less co-worker involvement than those employed in clustered or individual placements, and more…

This critical analysis of least restrictive environment (LRE) for the developmentally disabled reviews the origins and operationalization of LRE in terms of a continuum of residential, educational, and vocational services. Pitfalls in LRE, especially for severely disabled persons, are enumerated and commitment to the contrasting principle of…

This article presents case examples that illustrate strategies for promoting natural job supports for employees with disabilities. Strategies include, among others, collaborating with work-site personnel to develop modifications and providing general consultation on person-environment factors that promote the success of the supported employee and…

This literature review analyzes 47 studies and reports on the type and range of medical care, resources, and support services needed to maintain individuals with mental retardation in the community; health-related outcomes; barriers to the provision of community-based medical services; and availability and access to services. (Author/JDD)

Case studies are used to demonstrate several strategies used in the San Francisco Bay area to ensure the inclusion of persons with dual sensory impairments and other multiple disabilities in integrated community employment. Strategies include heterogeneous group placement, job restructuring, use of natural support, volunteerism, and social skills…

The article identifies two data collection procedures (participant observation and interviewing) employed in qualitative research and discusses how these procedures can be used to investigate emerging issues in supported education for students with severe disabilities. (DB)

This paper uses qualitative research data and examples from a high school drama class to examine how achieving full learning membership for students with severe disabilities requires teachers, in collaborative and consultative relationships, to provide all students with crucial supports by flexibly working within three inclusion parameters…

Qualitative research methods were used to examine practices at an elementary school providing inclusive schooling for students with and without disabilities. Findings indicated that systems change occurred slowly, intentionally, and with a collaborative process of decision making which stressed development of policies, conditions, and supports…

This article comments on a study that used functional assessment to reduce behavior problems in a child with multiple disabilities (Kern and Vorndran, 2000). It suggests additional principles need to be incorporated into an expanded model if functional assessment is to have a truly positive influence on naturalistic treatment planning. (Contains…

This study of three high school students with severe disabilities in regular education classes found that regular class participation was an important source for meeting peers without disabilities who subsequently became members of students' social networks. Perceived quality of social contacts was not dependent on initial contact being made…

Planning and implementing successful community-based social integration experiences for infants and toddlers with multiple disabilities require consideration of such issues as the developmental needs unique to this age-group, family needs and concerns, health and safety considerations, and training needs of staff. (JDD)

An intervention with two nonverbal elementary students with severe/profound mental retardation involved training the students to use badges showing play activities and then implementing use of the badges in a free play situation with nondisabled age-appropriate peers. Increased use of play organizers, initiations, and sharing resulted. (DB)