In this article, the author profiles her son Nathan Watt, a 14-year-old who was born with Spina Bifida, who does not allow setbacks to keep him from achieving his goals and dreams in the areas of writing, recording, and performing his own music. He has also opened a business website and turned his story, "Anything is Possible," into a color story…

The portrayal of individuals with physical disabilities in feature films contributes to society's overall perception of disability (Nelson, 1994; Susman, 1994). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze 18 films, produced between 1975 and 2004, that had a main character with a physical disability. Our analysis included specific themes…

This study explains the characteristics and treatment of individuals with Rett Syndrome and presents two case studies that investigated the use of interventions in reducing stereotypical hand movements (SHM). The case studies involve two girls (ages 5 and 7) with Rett Syndrome who were enrolled in a special education school. Information was…

Computers, depending on how they are used, can be both a boon and a menace to health and performance. With the increasing presence of computers on campus, journalism educators must make sure they are not creating a new class of disabled persons among their students and disabling themselves in the process. Journalism schools across the United…

This document lists the sacred texts of many world religions, in a variety of languages, translations, and versions, that are available in special media. The information provided for the materials includes source, medium, availability, and title. Priority was given to citing complete works; portions are listed only if they are unique in…

The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) of S. Forer and others (1987) records the degree of disability of rehabilitation patients between "Total Dependence" and "Complete Independence." Using the FIM, ratings on a seven-point scale are made by therapists and other expert care-providers at the time of patient admission to…

Devices made posible by advances in medicine and engineering are enabling thousands of limb-deficient youngsters to hold their own. (Editor)

The monograph is a collection of papers on the role of robotics in rehabilitation. The first four papers represent contributions from other countries: "Spartacus and Manus: Telethesis Developments in France and the Netherlands" (H. Kwee); "A Potential Application in Early Education and a Possible Role for a Vision System in a Workstation Based…

The paper describes approaches used to assess preverbal or nonverbal orthopedically handicapped infants. The first section describes a conceptual approach to development that differs from the normative approach. The conceptual development model emphasizes developmental structures rather than successive cumulative acquisitions of behavior. This…

A neurodevelopmental treatment approach provides severely physically/profoundly retarded adults (over 21-years-old) with opportunities for learning functional abilities that may lead to placement in group homes. The adults, who have recently been deinstitutionalized, are worked with, in terms of postural reflexes and passive and active movement,…

The relationship between achievement in track and field events (60, 100, 200, 400 meter runs and shotput, discus, and javelin throws) and selected physiological parameters (grip strength, body fat, vital lung capacity, and cardiovascular efficiency) of 20 wheelchair athletes was investigated. Results of track and field events were obtained from…

The document describes a process-oriented strategy for assessing children with atypical motor development. The Ordinal Scales of Psychological Development in Infancy by I. Uzgiris and J. Hunt are used as the content base. The intervention program focuses on teaching parents techniques for enhancing the child's functioning in sensorimotor, motor,…

A case study is presented of a 17 year old physically handicapped mildly retarded girl who was mainstreamed in a magnet school designed to foster interest in the social sciences. Through cooperative efforts of classroom teachers, special educators, the work experience teacher, and administrator, a program was developed that resulted in significant…

In helping to mainstream physically or health impaired children, the teacher consultant assesses a student's educational needs through testing, consultation with the school and doctor, parent interviews, and discussions with related services personnel. Implementing the instructional program includes being involved in the individualized education…

The booklet is intended to help train people with mild mental retardation to drive electric wheelchairs. The systematic training incorporates features of adequate time, stress upon generalization, and a relaxed and secure environment. Lessons are presented on the following skill areas: preparation, starting and stopping, driving straight ahead,…