Examined factor structure of mental health self-reports among older adults who were either physically disabled (N=59), recently widowed (N=52), or matched controls (N=113). Subjects completed Mental Health Inventory, Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview Demoralization Composite, and Bradburn Positive Affect Scale. Analyses suggest…

Twenty-four manufacturers of wheelchairs in the United States, along with one in Canada, are listed with addresses and telephone numbers, including toll-free telephone numbers when available. (PB)

A parent of a six-year-old son with spina bifida examines common accessibility problems in the form of six steps involved in taking the child shopping from finding a parking space to finding an entrance ramp and maneuvering in the store. (DB)

Explores the concept of lost pleasure of life for persons who become disabled, using Havighurst's developmental model. Highlights the importance of vocational rehabilitation for employment and life satisfaction. Reviews litigation and expert psychological testimony in cases claiming loss of pleasure. (SK)

Examines the terminology used for "physical disability" in proto-Bantu and contemporary Bantu languages. Support for differing regional and historical meanings is developed, with the most ancient meaning linking physical disability to "becoming heavy" and contemporary Bantu emphasizing categorization in both human and non-human…

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) is a neurogenic pain syndrome characterized by pain, vasomotor and dystrophic changes, and often motor impairments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of brachial plexus blockade with local anaesthetic drugs as a treatment for this condition. Three patients responded well; three did not. (DB)

This study examined the attitudes and values of 47 able-bodied, 36 blind, and 44 wheelchair-using individuals toward various aspects of marriage including love, sexual life, parenthood, and infidelity. No significant differences were found in attitudes and views among groups. All valued marriage and family life highly and had similar expectations.…

Of 1100 children referred to a mainstream paediatric speech and language therapy service in a 15-month period (January 1999 to April 2000), 320 had primary speech impairment. No referred child had significant hearing impairment, learning disability or physical disability. This paper describes the nature of the subtypes of speech disability…

Conductive education is a distinctive style of teaching and learning for pupils with physical difficulties. It is practised in the UK in some maintained, non-maintained and independent special schools and centres (here collectively termed conductive-education schools). In this article Mike Lambert investigates the extent to which these…

This study examined the influence of information about children's disabilities on preschool teachers' responses toward integrating children with disabilities in their classroom. Of particular interest was whether the severity of the child's educational needs and information about diagnosis were related to teachers' responses. Data were collected…

This article reports the findings of a research study that investigated the knowledge base and the perceptions of professional competence of 115 general education teachers as they relate to the inclusion of students with physical disabilities. Members of the sample represented elementary and secondary teachers who were teaching in rural, urban,…

This paper describes how the occupational therapist's looking at the child and his/her play could build a basic history of the subjects, providing the occupational therapist with clues to guide his/her proposed assistance. The authors understand the activity of play as a dimension that enables the subject to creatively establish contact with…

Teaching beginning reading to children with physical and speech impairments can be especially challenging. One reading strategy, known as the Nonverbal Reading Approach, is specifically designed to promote decoding and word reading for this population of students. The authors present three studies that show the successful use of this approach.

In recent years effective instruction in reading for learners with physical and educational disabilities has received great attention in the schools. However, instruction in the corollary skill of writing has received considerably less emphasis. This review paper notes that through the use of assistive technology, students with a variety of…

The study investigated the relationship between family stress and child characteristics in families with motor impaired toddlers. Families of 20 children between 2 1/2 and 5 years old with motor impairments, who visit a therapeutic toddler class in a rehabilitation centre, participated. The study was carried out in the Netherlands. Family stress…