The paper reports on efforts of the Thakur Hari Prasad Institute (THPI), an Indian voluntary agency, to improve services to persons with mental retardation in the developing nation of India. THPI is involved in both institutional and non-institutional activities, development of national policy, and action research. One project has provided early…

The Statewide Systems Change Project for the Severely Handicapped was a federally funded project established to develop activities to improve the quality of special education and related services for learners with severe handicaps and to encourage a change in service delivery from segregated to integrated environments. The project identified best…

Nineteen papers and a keynote address which were prepared for presentation at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota are presented. Numerous intergovernmental issues associated with the current economic crisis in rural America are analyzed and a series of innovative policy responses are identified for…

One of the changes advocated by the Regular Education Initiative (REI) is the placement of all students with disabilities in regular education classes. This paper analyzes this REI proposal and discusses four objections, with citations to relevant literature: (1) restriction of the continuum of services, which may result in students being put…

The papers in this compilation address topics relating to interlending and document supply and include the following: (1) "Training in Interlending" (D. E. K. Wijasuriya, Malaysia); (2) "Resource Collections and Document Supply Centre" (Stephney Ferguson, Jamaica); (3) "Organizing for Interlibrary Loan and Document Supply" (Rodrick S. Mabomba);…

This report describes the Distance Learning Project North, which began in September 1988 in Alberta, Canada. The primary emphasis of the project was on increasing equity in educational opportunity and the focus was testing alternative distance education delivery systems which can be used to provide equitable, cost-effective education to the…

Cost-benefit studies of the Early Intervention Research Institute at Utah State University are summarized. No differences were found in educational effectiveness between half- and full-day programs, with the costs of half-day programs being about 75-85% of full-day programs. No significant differences were found between groups served by…

Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986, requires states to develop a system for preparation of personnel to work with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, and to establish personnel standards for early intervention services. A study of 10 professional associations was conducted to…

A study examined the relationship between job training delivery systems and local economic development to determine what kinds of organizational relationships work best to promote coordination. The 6 sites selected from over 80 nominations were chosen because they linked job training with economic development efforts; produced sustained, positive…

This guide describes elements needed to enhance public and private sector involvement in child care. An introductory section defines the problem and outlines the elements of a comprehensive child care policy. Section II presents a policy matrix that serves as a guide to typical problems and solutions in the process of instituting…

This paper briefly summarizes differences reported in the service delivery provided by the State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) service to minorities including Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Unresolved issues which appear to influence the development and provision of culturally sensitive services are…

This report is part of a series prepared for planning and developing a comprehensive, coordinated service delivery system for Arizona infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed or at risk of developing handicapping conditions, and their families. It identifies Arizona agencies designated to respond to the special needs of young children…

Based on the results of a survey of administrators of exceptional student education, a Florida task force examined methods for increasing the involvement of minority parents in the education of their exceptional children and for providing outreach to parents who are isolated. The report centers on parents of exceptional students who are from low…

This resource guide reflects, largely through statistical information, the status of health care in rural New York State. It is divided into five sections: (1) Demographics, Socioeconomics, and Technology; (2) Client Needs; (3) Provider Needs; (4) Designing an Integrated Rural Health System; and (5) Developing a Rural Health System for New York…

This case study was prepared in conjunction with a Unesco survey of its member states concerning educational services for individuals with handicaps. The report discusses Yugoslavia's special education policy, legislation, administration and organization, special educational provision, finance, research and development, voluntary organizations,…