As illustrated by the educational strategies of women's groups in the Dutch Liberal Party and Leiden University, social movements contribute to adult education. The question remains whether separate programs for women or encouragement of women's participation in existing program is more conducive to emancipation. (SK)

A procedure enabling 19 adolescents/adults with profound mental retardation to express food and drink preferences was evaluated. Results indicated that active choice making occurred, and caregiver opinion was not predictive of participant preferences. Choices made using the procedure were similar to choices made when less structured opportunities…

The article stresses the importance of a creative, supportive classroom environment for the identification and nurturance of children's talents. Guidance is given for questioning techniques, cooperative learning approaches, and fostering the independence of each learner. (Author/DB)

Discussion of educational transactions in distance-learning environments focuses on a study that identified the dimensions constituting dialog, structure, and learner autonomy by investigating Pennsylvania State University students' experiences with videoconferencing. Results of exploratory factor analysis and interfactor correlation coefficients…

Describes the development and evaluation of the Choice Questionnaire, an instrument designed to measure the availability of choice to people with intellectual disability. The scale can be administered by interviewing the consumer or may be completed by a knowledgeable proxy. Very satisfactory reliability and validity have been determined.…

This study examined age differences in autonomy and relatedness in adolescents' relationship with parents, and same-gender friend. Questionnaire responses of 205 Israeli adolescents indicated that older adolescents had greater autonomy in relationships with parents than did younger adolescents. No age differences were reported in closeness and…

This paper reviews the literature on empowerment as a psychological construct and as an outcome of disability service provision. Key components of empowerment are identified, such as self-efficacy, sense of control, and participation/collaboration. Models of empowerment and allied constructs, including locus of control and power/powerlessness, are…

A study demonstrated the effectiveness of a three-phase treatment package for determining setting preferences and for teaching three adults with severe mental retardation to express their choice between settings for similar leisure activities. Participants learned to use objects associated with different settings to communicate their choices.…

Two studies examined psychometric properties of a new criterion Q-sort for children's emotion regulation and autonomy. Multitrait-multimethod matrix and factor analyses indicated impressive convergence among the emotion regulation Q-scale and established affect regulation measures. The new scale was not discriminable from measures of related…

Sets out the positions of Liberal and Communitarian philosophers on the fundamental requirements for a democratic civil society. Argues that a cultural, pluralist, democratic society will be characterized by a diversity of controversial moral positions at a range of levels. Offers discussion as a method of reconciling controversial moral…

This article discusses self-determination for people with significant cognitive disabilities and their families. It argues that there is inadequate attention to the profound influence of significant cognitive disabilities on achieving self-determination and that cultural values influence one's definition of self-determination. Research needs are…

NewLink helps adults at risk through quasi-autonomous local community organizations that provide training and employment opportunities within a learning organization framework. The concept derives from an extensive range of metaphors drawn from religious, humanist, and scientific thought. (Author/SK)

Study examined how adolescents defined leisure and accessibility problems encountered as they attempted to pursue chosen activities. Interviews indicated that regardless of location, adolescents shared concern about inability to independently access leisure pursuits. Causes of frustration were lack of accessible spaces and social sanctions…

Findings from a study of the relationships among autonomy deficits, low self-esteem, and eating disorders of 71 college women supported a mediational model in which lack of autonomy was related to decreased global self-esteem, which in turn was associated with bulimia and body dissatisfaction. (SLD)

Levels of personal control exercised by 76 adults with mental retardation were contrasted by substitute decision-making status. Individuals with no guardian or conservator exercised more personal control than did those with a conservator, who exerted more personal control than those with guardians. Similar group differences were observed in…