An assessment of the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families was conducted via focus groups of individuals with disabilities, family members, and professionals (n=50). Concerns included preservice staff training, inservice staff training, and program delivery and development. Implications for quality assurance and…

A study was conducted to investigate the views of 40 Australian service providers on the support and service needs of parents with intellectual disabilities and to discover key issues faced by the providers. The special needs of the parents, desirable service characteristics, and constraints on service delivery are identified. (CR)

Focus groups or interviews with 31 family members and 8 adolescents from minority communities investigated barriers families encountered as their adolescent youth with disabilities move into adulthood. Barriers included insensitivity/discrimination, lack of accommodations, and unresponsive services. Survey findings from 308 parents were consistent…

This article describes a collaborative effort of educators from a university, state department, and local school district to redesign a master's level course in instructional strategies. Delivery format was changed to a week-long summer course; content changed to emphasize research-based instructional practices and more local and state (Florida)…

This article lists information on Canadian schools and programs enrolling children and youth with deafness or hearing impairments. It contains a directory listing alphabetized by province, then presents a chart that provides information on programs, including whether it is a residential program, the enrollment, services offered, and communication…

This paper compares segregated, integrated, and community-based environments for instructing students with severe, multiple handicaps. Advantages and disadvantages are reviewed, recommendations for selection of suitable instructional environments are offered, and essential criteria for the evaluation of instruction in the various environments are…

The study found that quality of life of 46 mentally retarded individuals was impacted by the funding source used to support their community-based residential programs. Clients in programs using Medicaid funds were less active and involved in life than were clients living in programs funded by non-Medicaid state sources. (Author/JDD)

General and specific strategies useful in facilitating an integrated educational environment for children with severe disabilities are presented. Strategies include, among others, identifying and facilitating natural supports, using a participation approach, demonstrating success locally, recruiting collaborators, communicating with all members of…

Retention of literacy skills can best be achieved through a range of continuing education opportunities geared to diverse needs and circumstances of different categories of neo-literates. To create such a "learning society" requires commitment to human resource development as the core of national development, provided by a knowledge delivery…

Discusses the historical development of hypertext/hypermedia, recent advances in their application, and potential problems with this technology. A hypermedia research and development project (PROJECT EMPEROR-I) that experimented with several major delivery system platforms is described and the potential of this type of application for librarians,…

Changes in the health care delivery system and projected changes in baccalaureate nursing education anticipated in the wake of implementation of the prospective payment system for health care services are examined. The discussion is based on the results of a national survey. (MSE)

A survey of 31 Colorado special education directors determined which handicapped children, from birth to age 5, should be served in which settings. Results found that administrators see an emerging role for the public schools, are willing to serve a broader range of young handicapped children, and see the need for more integrated settings.…

Recent developments in medical technology have increased survival rates of children with disabling conditions and chronic illnesses. These children incur direct and indirect medical costs, and existing private and public resources leave gaps in payment and service delivery. New systems are necessary to ensure coordinated community care for all…

The survey of 137 community colleges found that individuals with emotional disorders were identified by 77 percent of the colleges and that 83 percent of the colleges provide services for such students. Respondents reported a desire to serve adults with emotional disorders but most were unable to expand services to this population. (Author/DB)

Briefly describes a project that created an archive of electronic versions of published text. The procedures used to access the archives are described and the policies of the archive for proper use of electronically delivered documents by scholars and libraries are discussed. (5 references) (CLB)