In response to Horner and others (EC 232 976), this paper contrasts the constricted life of their adult son (who has mental retardation, autism, and emotional problems) when he lived in a group home and worked at a sheltered workshop where aversive techniques were used, with his present life with nondisabled housemates and competitive employment.…

Examined consequences of vision loss among older adults. Respondents reporting visual decline were older than those reporting good vision, but not different in any other demographic characteristic, use of formal support and health services, or activities of daily living (ADL) functioning. Controlling for age and sex, vision loss was associated…

This study investigated adult adjustment of male and female graduates with mental disabilities out of school for three years. Year three data indicated that males and females had achieved comparable rates of full-time competitive employment, but females were falling behind in hourly wages. From years one to three, there were positive shifts in…

This paper describes a summer program teaching independent living skills to 20 adults with visual impairments. Results suggest the program had a lasting and profound impact on clients' previously low knowledge of job hunting, decision making, stress management, and self-care skills. Interaction with other adults with visual impairments and…

Personal accounts describe the lives of 2 individuals with deaf-blindness, one an 87-year-old woman who was deaf from birth and became totally blind over a 50-year period and the other of a woman who became deaf-blind as a result of a fever at the age of 7. Managing activities of daily life and experiencing sensory hallucinations are among topics…

Research on employment, residential, and social outcomes of youth with disabilities transitioning from school to adult activities is reviewed, finding that young adults with disabilities become less integrated into employment, independent living, and community activities as they age. Variables that may enhance community integration outcomes are…

The Transition Competence Battery for Deaf Adolescents and Young Adults (TCB) measures employment and independent living skills. The TCB was standardized on students (N from 180 to 230 for the different subtests) from both mainstreamed and residential settings. Item statistics and subtest reliabilities were adequate; evidence of construct validity…

This study analyzed a program to involve six institutionalized adults with mild mental retardation in their transition to community living. The program involved interviewing to determine their community living lifestyle preferences, identifying strongest preferences, and teaching subjects to obtain preference availability information from group…

A study investigated the effectiveness of a program designed to prepare 12 Israeli adults with physical disabilities for autonomous and independent life in the community. Results found that it was possible to enhance participants' autonomy based on a systematic program that included development of group cohesiveness along with development of…

Identifies challenges in lifelong education of British citizens with intellectual disabilities in the coming century, including the necessity for changes in services, more individual-centered education, increased emphasis on basic skills needed for community living, more engagement with the community, and better opportunities for productive work.…

A follow-up study of 164 individuals with learning disabilities to obtain adult adjustment information found that 43% enrolled in postsecondary education/job training, few were involved in the community, 30% were in independent living, and most had good personal and social relationships. There were concerns about lack of knowledge of health…

A case study of a young Dutch man with intellectual and visual disabilities proved the viability and effectiveness of a self-operated instruction system with verbal cues in achieving independent task performance. The system consisted of a largely modified cassette recording which would stop automatically after each instruction. (Author/CR)

Youths who were abused and neglected and in out-of-home care are among those at highest risk for HIV; concurrence of sexual activity and school failures contributes to high-risk status. Research suggests that changing behaviors requires programs that include not only HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills but also incentives and skills for…

This article addresses transition needs of individuals with learning disabilities in such areas as maintaining a home, becoming appropriately involved in the community (including recreation and leisure activities), and experiencing satisfactory personal and social relationships. It reviews research on adult adjustment, highlights existing…

This article reviews the literature on life skills curricula and instruction for students with learning disabilities, focusing on intervention and follow-up/follow-along studies. Suggestions for designing research programs that address these issues are offered. A list of life skills books is appended, along with charts listing papers on theory,…