Describes specific plans for making environmental education accessible to disabled people by adapting trail systems and facilities for safety, interpretative programing, and access. Encourages the inclusion of disabled people in the wide variety of environmental education programing by presenting solutions to traditional barriers. (MCO)

Presents a series of articles that address the theme of promoting active lifestyles through education. Some topics are facilities and equipment, how fear plays a part in limiting participation in physical activity, working with disabled as well as aging persons, the use of water activities, and instructor accountability. (GLR)

Physical disorders and pharmacotherapy for 134 people with mental retardation (ages 65 years and older) living in the United Kingdom were compared to 73 younger adults with mental retardation. Results showed the older group had higher rates of urinary incontinence, immobility, hearing impairments, arthritis, hypertension, and cerebrovascular…

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of word prediction software to increase typing speed and decrease spelling errors for students who have physical disabilities that affect hand use. Student perceptions regarding the effectiveness of word prediction was examined as well as their typing rates and spelling accuracy. Four students with…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the literacy difficulties experienced by people with physical disabilities, and the factors that prevent them from improving their literacy skills. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 individuals with physical disabilities who defined themselves as having literacy difficulties. Four…

The 2007/2008 Parents of Children with Severe Special Needs Survey is conducted to obtain opinions from parents of children with severe special needs to assess their satisfaction with key areas of the education system. A random sample of 816 parents of children with severe special needs completed the survey. Severe special needs descriptions…

Introduction: This study used quality of life and resilience as theoretical frameworks for evaluating predictors of outcomes for adults who received foster care services alumni of foster care and were diagnosed with a physical or psychiatric disability while in foster care. Method: First, outcomes for foster care alumni with and without physical…

This practicum aimed to provide nonverbal students with a communication program to increase expressive language for daily living skills. Target students were four children (ages 6 to 7) with cerebral palsy. The practicum involved introducing children to pleasurable activities that encouraged communication behaviors, showing the children…

For a number of years, studies have reported that people with disabilities have lower work force participation rates than the general public. One factor may be a lack of transitional, vocational programs for young people with disabilities. This digest describes "Thresholds," a career development program created with a basis on the unique…

This book includes four papers presented at a conference on teaching science to students with disabilities. The first paper, "Science Education for Motor/Orthopedically-Impaired Students" (E. C. Keller, Jr.), covers: (1) categories of motor/orthopedic-impairments, (2) life function assessment, (3) formal and informal science teaching…

This report details the findings of a survey of supported employment directors in the 50 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, that sought to identify potential barriers to a variety of supported employment services for persons with severe physical disabilities. Key findings include: (1) 84 percent of the agencies provided services to…

This final report describes activities and outcomes of a research project on a sound-to-speech translation system utilizing a graphic mediation interface for students with severe disabilities. The STS/Graphics system is a voice recognition, computer-based system designed to allow individuals with mental retardation and/or severe physical…

This report explores the significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) for the Florida International University Libraries and describes adaptations that can be made to insure compliance with the law. Following a discussion of the law and definitions of terms, the paper lists auxiliary aids and services that should be purchased…

This handbook provides information for University of Victoria faculty that will assist in the process of accommodating students with disabilities in the classroom or the laboratory. The focus of the handbook is on ways that instructors can modify the learning environment to facilitate learning for these groups, and it is divided into sections…

Presented is a report of findings of a 1990 National Health Interview Survey on Assistive Devices which indicated that about 5.3 percent of the American population are using assistive technology to accommodate physical impairments. Background information defines "assistive technology," describe uses, and reviews recent federal legislative and…