Procedures of school placement for 38 children (ages 5 to 18 years) with spina bifida in 23 school districts in western New York State were studied 5 years after a mandated process was enacted. (Author)

In order to examine the effectiveness of impedance and otoscopic screening in the determination of middle ear abnormalities, 79 physically handicapped, mentally retarded school children (mean age 8 years) were examined. (Author/PHR)

This article discusses a comprehensive community service delivery system, The Center for Independent Living (CIL), for the severely disabled in which services are geared toward independent living and consciousness raising. Self-help and peer counseling are seen as major methods of service assistance. (Author)

Recommendations are provided for the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as it pertains to individuals with physical disabilities. Recommendations address the following areas: professional development of teachers, physical disabilities as a focus category in the support programs, and incentives for model…

This study surveyed 24 physically and mentally disabled persons and 18 parents of physically and mentally disabled dependents using nongovernment welfare organizations in southeast Queensland. Topics probed included accessibility of information and services, consumer choice in service provision, quality of services, inadequacies in service…

The study compared the effects of different play conditions (microcomputer, remote-control robot, or no toys) on the amount of time four dyads of handicapped/nonhandicapped children would interact during structured play. Results suggested that microcomputers may serve as social facilitators for children with significant social and language…

Discusses factors that should be considered when designing multiple-choice diagnostic tests for use with microcomputer systems. Item content and characteristics are described, presentation of feedback and results are examined, database management functions are discussed, and benefits for students with learning problems and physically disabled…

A case study is presented of a family in which the parents disagreed about the role their young daughters should play in caring for their baby son, who was born with severe physical disabilities. Through counseling, the parents learned to improve their communication, deal with stress, and accept outside help. (JDD)

The case study of a six-year-old nonspeaking girl with severe cerebral palsy demonstrated the effectiveness of intervention with augmentative and alternative communication methods. Both picture symbol communication and functional speech emerged and the child, initially believed to be mentally retarded, was determined to be of normal intelligence.…

Advocates ecological and normalizing approaches for teaching art to disabled students. Argues against a medical model by stressing that art education should not be designed to compensate for the behaviors and characteristics of a diagnosed disability. Refers to several programs which are based on these beliefs. (KO)

The study evaluated the touch sensitive screen, providing computer access to students with severe learning disabilities, with visual impairments, and with physical handicaps. Results indicated the apparatus to be a valuable tool for individual or group work in a variety of skills by children of various ages and disabilities. (DB)

Studied the changes in the social exchanges of 30 young children with disabilities with their mothers and a familiar playmate at 4 data points over a 16-month period. Found that the children engaged in more and increasingly social exchanges over time, showed more vocal behavior, and completed more object-related acts. (AC)

Special types of prosthetic devices have been designed to support the specific needs of disabled and handicapped computer users in retrieving information. Of particular importance are interfaces based on the use of sound, tactile operations, and gestures. Such interfaces may be used to provide disabled people with access to hypermedia information.…

Research on emergent literacy is applied to children with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI). Factors shown to have the greatest influence on emerging literacy skills are identified, as are diverging experiences of young children with SSPI. Intervention strategies suggested for these children include increasing access to books and…

Describes the development at Hereward College (England) of an electronic study environment, called the Nuffield Interactive Book System, for use by physically handicapped students. Topics addressed include system design strategy, a prototype system, pretrials, revisions, system capabilities, and users' reactions. Sample screen displays are…