The concept of "adult status" for young people with disabilities is explored in terms of its social, psychological, legal, and policy implications. The report argues that traditionally institutionalized rehabilitation techniques, whether in education, vocational training, or sheltered employment, have tended not to encourage autonomy and…

The paper presents a model which has provided extensive or partial services for 147 persons with severe and complex disabilities. The model, "Supported Independence Using Individualized Dollars" (dollars allocated to a specific client), emerged when the Calgary Association for Independent Living, a small self-help group of disabled…

A German language class project designed to develop individual learner autonomy involved a third-year class and a sixth-year class of girls in the production of a fashion show using slides and narration. A variety of related class activities were used: choosing pictures, making suggestions to people about what to wear, analyzing clothing types,…

Teachers have the paradoxical dual responsibility of fostering children's personal autonomy while ensuring that the children follow necessary rules affecting their health, safety, and educational development. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to determine when children should be allowed freedom and when they need regulation, and on occasion…

Student and instructor course outlines are provided for a seminar designed to relate individual freedom to the work experiences of students presently on internships. First, the guide for the instructor identifies the seven sections of the course: "What Is Freedom?"; "Freedom and Your Internship"; "You and Your Co-Workers"; "How Much Freedom Do You…

This article examines the interactions which occur during several curricular activities to reveal the role expectations children develop. The ordinary social processes of the classroom through which the academic agenda is accomplished are examined. The meaning children and teachers ascribe to various activities is discussed. (JL)

The psychological and methodological bases of the Agassi teaching method are described to provide a context for evaluating the theory. A brief history of Selzian psychology and Popper's methodology is given. The Agassi method, which stresses learning through questioning, is detailed. (JL)

The author defines her terms of goodness and empowerment in a context of studying school environments. "Good" schools are then described, the settings in which the field work was conducted are given and the methods of student and teacher empowerment at six good high schools are discussed. (JL)

Social network research can determine the possibilities and limits of informal support systems for handicapped adults. Analysis of 370 handicapped adults' social networks focuses on: social network characteristics, demographic characteristics, amount of support received, type of support needed, and feelings of balance/imbalance,…

Studied conditions and consequences, the characteristics of agentic (volitional, teleological) human behavior in investigations of weight control, vocational exploration, and eating disorders. Demonstrated the ability of individuals professing eating and exercise problems, to exhibit control; and in separate study examining personality factors and…

Part of a special issue on the national network of University Affiliated Facilities, the article defines independent living (IL) and discusses the development and application for the IL concept. An IL model is presented that focuses on improving the community environment and offering assistive devices to persons with severe disabilities.…

Interview data from 98 Black adolescent males in Columbus, Ohio, indicate that those who are fathers or who do not believe they have control of their destiny (an attitude more prevalent among fathers that nonfathers) are more likely to be school dropouts than others. Educational implications are discussed. (CJM)

Intrinsic motivation can be predicted from participants' perceptions of the social environment and the task environment (Ryan & Deci, 2000)in terms of control, relatedness and competence. To determine the degree of independence of these factors 251 students in higher vocational education (physiotherapy and hotel management) indicated the…

The concept of autonomy in second language learning is explored by tracing some steps in the evolution of theory and practice. The first section relates one definition of learner autonomy ("the ability to take charge of one's learning") to self-instruction in language learning and to research in language learning at the adult level. The…

This paper addresses the need to create relationships and supports that offer people with substantial disabilities the assistance they require to increase effective control of their lives ("power sharing"). The paper is based on experience and research in North American and British services to people with intellectual disabilities, autism, and…