This article stresses the importance of family involvement in the assistive technology assessment process and offers a model which considers such issues as expenditures/funding for technology, travel practices and transportation, and satisfaction with services being provided. Other issues discussed include the need to clarify professional…

Offers a brief synopsis of the unique characteristics of the following roof membranes: (1) built-up roofing; (2) elastoplastic membranes; (3) modified bitumen membranes; (4) liquid applied membranes; and (5) metal roofing. A chart compares the characteristics of the raw membranes only. (MLF)

The University of Kansas record management system using optical disk storage in a network environment and the selection process used to meet existing hardware and budgeting requirements are described. Viability of the technology, document legality, and difficulties encountered during implementation are discussed. (Author/MSE)

This paper summarizes selected findings on approaches to increasing the rate of communicatively appropriate responses in augmentative and alternative communication. Six approaches--efficient keyboard layouts, reduced keys keyboards, Minspeak with Words Strategy, enlarged keys keyboards, abbreviation expansion, and lexical prediction--are reviewed…

Seven subjects participated in a comparison of the normal and noise suppression settings on the Spectra 22 speech processor of the Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant system. Group data revealed no significant difference in performance between the two settings for either monosyllabic words in quiet or sentences presented in background babble.…

This paper reviews recent research and reports on an ongoing longitudinal study concerning effects of cochlear implants, tactile aids, and hearing aids on the development of speech production skills in 18 children and youth with profound hearing impairments. The most improved speech was seen in the subjects with cochlear implants. (DB)

Notes that the purchase of playground equipment is one of the most important decisions center directors make. Offers advice from a number of playground equipment manufacturers that suggests directors consider activities, safety, construction, installation, and warranty when purchasing equipment. Also suggests interviewing other directors about…

A study evaluated use of computer-assisted instructional (CAI) systems to deliver literacy training for Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) participants at the Texas Center for Adult Literacy and Learning. Participants, who were categorized as upper-level students (7th-12th grade equivalents) or lower-level students (0-6th grade equivalents), were…

After an examination of the status of the use of media in the foreign language curriculum, the potential impact of video and computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is analyzed, and their advantages and disadvantages are charted. The role of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines with respect…

A study to evaluate four different black and white slow-scan television (SSTV) systems as information delivery systems was conducted using four classes of university students, one at the graduate level and three at the undergraduate level. Each class viewed videotaped examples from the four SSTV systems during one class period, and were asked to…

This publication deals with suggested maintenance standards that apply to vehicles used for pupil transportation in California and covers all the safety-related systems that are common to most buses. The guide has been prepared to help all school bus and school pupil activity bus operators set up an inspection and preventive maintenance program…

Appalachian Education Satellite Project (AESP), using the ATS-6 satellite, has designed a variety of multi-media learning activities intended to upgrade the quality of instruction in Appalachia. Four modes of communication (televised programs, four-channel audio review, four-channel data collection and analysis, and VHF-teletype relay system) were…

A policy study was conducted in four rounds to assess the anticipated payoff of investment by the Advanced Research Projects Office in the development of a new family of terminals for use by the military in computer-assisted instruction. Members of the panel of experts proposed features, rated them, and reacted to the resulting ratings. Of the 24…

A prototype voice visualizer was constructed and a program of instructional materials designed to teach discrimination of minimally paired vowel or consonant sounds. Two groups of 24 deaf children with poor articulatory ability received instruction twice weekly for 4 months; also, a group of eight deaf children with good speech participated in…

A guide for planning new and revising existing industrial arts facilities which gives a listing of tools and equipment recommended for each of the major areas of instruction (automotive and power mechanics, ceramics, drafting, electronics, elementary, general shop, graphic arts, metalworking, plastics, and woodworking). General descriptions and…