The personal stories in this collection are by the staff of an agency which provides "supported living" services to adults with mental retardation and other disabilities. The stories were written to be read at monthly staff meetings when time is set aside to clarify and renew the organization's values. Introductory material offers suggestions for…

This paper offers a perspective on people learning to build community, across the imposed social barriers that separate people with substantial disabilities from other people. The paper presents the story of a woman who was able to move from an institutional setting to her own home because of the community-building carried out by her support…

This report resulted from a qualitative research site visit to the Madison Mutual Housing Association and Cooperative in Madison, Wisconsin. The agency was selected due to its reputation for inclusive efforts to provide housing to a broad constituency including people of differing abilities, ages, income levels, and ethnic backgrounds. The Madison…

This paper points out that the promise of supported living for individuals with developmental disabilities lies in its potential to deal creatively and individually with the complexities arising from the lives of many different individuals. The paper describes personal experiences of leaders in supported living agencies that enabled them to step…

This paper looks at independent housing needs of persons with disabilities and presents a policy statement developed by the Center on Human Policy in December, 1989. Noted are the results of a research review showing that housing needs are similar for all disability groups, that supports are a critical factor in housing provision, that housing…

This essay uses a question-and-answer format to examine issues of concern to persons with mental retardation related to personal assistance or support services. Questions include: "What do people with mental retardation or others in the field of developmental disabilities know about personal assistance?"; "How is personal assistance…

This annual report (fiscal year 1991) summarizes information on mandated federal activities of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and related agencies under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The report is organized following the titles and sections of the Act. Under the Act's General Provisions are activities of the Office of the…

Because of a lack of training, most adolescent mothers are not prepared to live independently. Accordingly, a learning program was designed to improve training for adolescent mothers to better prepare them for living independently. The learning program, implemented in 10 weeks, consisted of eight training sessions geared to the areas of basic life…

This resource guide lists organizations that provide information, referral, and/or direct services to adults with disabilities. The organizations are grouped by the main focus of their activities, including: employment issues (9); postsecondary education (3); recreation (6); independent living (5); assistive technology (4); and other (3…

This report describes a program designed to increase opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to lead good lives in places of their own, strengthen their communities, and enjoy a genuine sense of self-worth. In addition to offering independent services, the Training Toward Self-Reliance (TTSR) program staff have increased their…

This manual for participants in a teleconference on independent living for adults with disabilities provides an agenda for the teleconference, a list of trainers, and a copy of Chapters 1 and 2 of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. The objectives of the teleconference were to assist Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and…

From April 11-14, 1995, the Onondaga Community Living (OCL) organization hosted a team of five visitors sponsored by Syracuse University's Center on Human Policy. OCL provides services to empower and individually support people with developmental disabilities. In investigating the organization's move toward the provision of individual supports in…

This article is written by two British people with learning disabilities and their health care team. It is about their wish to move into homes in the community after years in hospitals. They explain the service experiences they have had and what they are looking forward to in the future. (CR)

Interviews with 23 former or current consumers of vocational rehabilitation services found not all were employed but the majority lived independently. Employees were happy with their jobs. However, workplace accommodations were virtually nonexistent. Suggestions are provided on areas in which people who are deaf and low functioning may need…

Discusses characteristics and behavior patterns of students with disabilities who are most likely to drop out. Explores the impact of educational reform's emphasis on academics and on preparing all student with disabilities for employment and independent living, and identifies strategies to overcome the special education dropout problem. (CR)