Diabetes educators have a dual role--to prevent eye disease and to help people with diabetes who are visually impaired achieve and maintain their desired level of independence. Familiarity with the range of adaptive equipment available and utilization of the professional association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, can assist in…

A study was done to identify the level of independent travel considered ideal by three older adults with visual impairments. Results found that the ideal level of functioning is different from that implicitly used in traditional orientation and mobility programs. (CR)

In an effort to examine the transition status of Apache Native American school leavers, a 38-item survey collected information from 48 former students with and without learning disabilities. Results indicated the students with learning disabilities had higher rates of unemployment and substance abuse and were less likely to live independently or…

This study examines how early entries into adult roles are associated with aggressive and violent behavior occurring from early adolescence to young adulthood among 499 males and 578 females living in low-income, central-city neighborhoods. Among males, engagement in adult roles accounted for the relationship between higher levels of aggressive…

Curriculum planning for the intellectually disabled must be forward looking, giving due consideration to the students' current and future needs, sensitive to the environments in which the individuals will ultimately be expected to adapt and function after leaving school. In this survey, the emphasis is seeking the teachers' perceptions on what…

Results from a 25-year follow-up study of the Camberwell Cohort (L. Wing & Gould, 1978, 1979) were presented. Ninety-one people, ranging in age from 27 to 41 years, were traced, and an outcome measure was developed incorporating independent functioning, residential placement, employment, and quality of life. Outcome was rated as either poor…

Purpose: The objective of this research is to investigate whether home accommodations influence the amount of human help provided to a nationally representative sample of adults who use wheelchairs. Design and Methods: We analyzed data from the Adult Disability Follow-back Survey (DFS), Phase II, of the Disability Supplement to the 1994-1995…

This guide addresses provision for transition services in the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of students with disabilities. It begins with regulations arising from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act pertaining to transition services. These regulations focus on definitions, participants in meetings, parent participation,…

Traditional cure-then-place approaches to vocational rehabilitation of individuals with psychiatric disabilities have had little success. An approach known as psychiatric rehabilitation, advanced by William Antony, emphasizes occupational and independent living adjustments and has a relative lack of emphasis on a psychiatric cure. Such approaches…

Secondary students with mild disabilities often are unprepared to make a successful transition into adulthood. The traditional secondary curriculum for mildly disabled students focuses too much on remedial academics and not enough on the specific skills needed in social interactions, daily living, occupational choice, and employment. In addition,…

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley, California, is described as a mecca for the disabled since 1972, when a coalition of severely disabled people founded the Center with the goal of integrating disabled people into the community-at-large. The CIL's mission is to create and maintain independence for disabled people through…

This evaluation project was designed to assess 37 persons (ages 21-72) who had moved from intermediate care facilities or skilled nursing facilities into innovative one-person or two-person community integrated living arrangements as a result of the Supported Placements in Integrated Community Environments project. The 37 persons had severe or…

This executive summary presents highlights of a study which sought to determine whether participants in the Supported Placements in Integrated Community Environments project were better off after moving to community homes from intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities, and to determine the variables that contribute to quality…

The AgrAbility Project offers education and assistance to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with physical and mental disabilities. The project also eliminates barriers and creates a favorable climate among rural service providers for people with disabilities. Disabilities and conditions covered are listed. Examples of the project's…

This proceedings contains presentations, workshop summaries, program profiles, and other highlights of a conference on rural disability issues. The major conference theme was the normalcy of having a disability. A plenary discussion developed a list of 17 rural community disability priorities. Keynote speeches were: (1) "Rural Economies and…