Have parents ever thought about the future of their child with special needs? What happens after they graduate from or ages out of the school system? In this article, the author discusses employment. She feels the best time to start planning and preparing is while the child is still in junior high school. She offers some suggestions that may help…

This guide was designed for elderly individuals in Arkansas and for professionals working with these persons. It provides information about obtaining and using tools for living. The guide shows persons ways to work with agencies and organizations to see that tools needed by individuals are provided. It is intended to be an introduction to the…

This paper describes the role of the Supported Housing Specialist as developed by the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. The paper is based on extensive interviews with Marcie Brost who developed and holds the position. This paper is intended to be used with a set of…

Interviews with three people who use wheelchairs (aged 10, 41, and 72) revealed they were not well informed about Americans with Disabilities Act standards and their civil rights; they were knowledgeable about architectural accessibility. The perceptions and experiences of these different age groups can help occupational therapists provide…

Sample of 75 occupational therapists working with physically disabled adults in rehabilitation facilities completed the Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training Questionnaire. Results showed an average of 14 percent of treatment time spent on ILS training, considered a low amount by a panel of experts. It was suggested that community-based…

Examined psychosocial functioning and transition to adult status following adolescent closed head injury. Used case study approach to describe changes in functioning following discharge and return to family and school from perspective of injured individual and primary caregiver. Found dependence in many areas of adult functioning, underscoring…

Conducted study of single room occupancy (SRO) hotels in Chicago, Illinois and collected data on everyday experiences of 53 elderly tenants. Findings showed that hotel environments offered anything but independence. Residents were trapped in situation that exacerbated isolation and withdrawal from society and were in desperate need of social…

Factors described by Horn as affected by aging were hypothesized to physiologically define functional intelligence. Fifty older women, grouped as either Independent or Partially Dependent, completed tasks to assess cognitive status. Tasks were more often sensitive to increased dependence than to chronological age and generally supported nomination…

Since 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) has worked to achieve its vision of a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to realize their life's aspirations. Specifically, the organization provides national leadership in education, research and advocacy. In cooperation with 170 affiliate groups, NDSS has…

The "Rehabilitation Act of 1973," as amended (the act), provides the legislative basis for programs and activities that assist individuals with disabilities in the pursuit of gainful employment, independence, self-sufficiency and full integration into community life. This report is intended to provide a description of accomplishments and…

This article discusses the authors' experience in working with young offenders who are leaving care in Ireland. It first presents a brief discussion around one agency called St. Xavier's which the authors have had connections with over the past decade. The main aim of St. Xavier's is to deliver individualized programs of care, education, and…

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…

Background: Very little is known about the neuropsychological correlates of adaptive functioning in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study examined whether specific cognitive deficits and demographic variables predicted everyday functioning in adults with ID. Method: People with ID (n = 101; ages 19-41 years; mean education = 11…

Purpose: To examine perceptions about aging well in the context of cognitive health among a large and diverse group of older adults. Design and Methods: Forty-two focus groups were conducted with older adults living in the community ( N = 396; White, African American, American Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hispanic). Participant descriptions …

This issue of the quarterly newsletter "Rural Exchange" provides information and resources on accessible rural housing for the disabled. "Accessible Manufactured Housing Could Increase Rural Home Supply" (Nick Baker) suggests that incorporation of access features such as lever door handles and no-step entries into manufactured housing could help…