This article explores the provision of independent living services and other disability benefits for spinal cord injury rehabilitation in Europe and the United States. The specific focus is the medical and social financing systems and the decision-making processes which determine provision of adaptive equipment, accessible transportation, modified…

The article describes a three-year research project to develop an applications model to successfully integrate technology in the instruction of mild and moderately handicapped elementary grade students. The model focuses on decisions of in-school agents in such areas as identification of content, instructional methods, organization of instruction,…

Twenty-seven classroom assistants in British special schools were surveyed. Results are summarized in the following areas: job title; length of service; training and qualifications; union membership, job description, and contracts; duties; relationships between teachers and assistants; relationships with children; and aspirations. A comparison…

Describes a Story Reading Program and Shared Book Experience to improve the language and reading skills of multiply handicapped children. Concludes that the employment of multiple stimuli--large print, pictures, speech, and signs--in story reading activities increases children's attention skills, improves receptive and expressive language use, and…

Mentally retarded individuals are often stigmatized and segregated, though constitutional guarantees in many countries promise them equality. Use of the U.S. court system to secure these guarantees, resulting in deinstitutionalization, individualization of services, and increased employment opportunities, is analyzed and contrasted with the…

A need exists for appropriate curricula for students who are both limited English proficient (LEP) and learning disabled (LD). This paper reviews learning strategy approaches for LEP and LD students, compares two models (the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach and the Strategies Intervention Model), and proposes a merging of the two…

The Family Needs Survey assesses the functional needs of parents with young handicapped children, including the following areas of need: information, support, community services, financial assistance, assistance in explaining the handicap, and assistance in family functioning. Field testing with 34 families indicated the instrument's usefulness as…

Through self-analysis of job performance, job problem-solving groups, and self-management, special needs students learn how to take control of their actions, solve problems, make appropriate decisions, and maintain skills that will help them to be successful on the job. (BJV)

Whole task training and graduated guidance were used to teach independent dressing skills to two developmentally disabled 4-year-olds. After the boys acquired basic dressing skills, additional practice (fluency training) elevated their performance to socially validated rates. Follow-up showed that the skills were maintained and generalized to…

Follow-up study of mildly mentally retarded adults (N=40) hospitalized as adolescents for psychiatric disorders 10 years earlier rated 30 percent as having "fair to good" vocational and social adjustment; 42.5 percent indicated "marginal" adjustment. These ratings were poorer than those found for mentally retarded individuals without psychiatric…

This description of the roles of librarians and libraries as information links to different populations focuses on programs to increase literacy; providing equal access, especially to the physically handicapped and institutionally confined; and incorporating the concepts of global perspective and intellectual freedom. (CLB)

Describes summer supplemental special education program of the Navajo Tribe's Chinle Agency. Program provided 57 exceptional students with instruction; trained teachers, aides, and parents in special education procedures; and provided university credit toward a degree or certification. Describes program evaluation techniques and results. (LFL)

Presents articles on test anxiety, personality tests, history of tests and benefits to be derived from their use, tests as tools in career decision-making, temperament needs for certain jobs (as determined by personality tests), interest inventories, testing exceptional students, and testing to evaluate vocational needs of special needs groups.…

Describes six types of illustrations most frequently used in elementary-level content area texts. Presents ideas to teachers for effectively using illustrations to support children's learning and to develop children's abilities to verbalize the information acquired from illustrations. (DST)

The Center for Special Education Finance (CSEF) provides policymakers and administrators at all governmental levels with data, analyses, expertise, and opportunities to share information about special education finance issues. One of CSEF's major activities is the periodic collection and dissemination of information on state funding systems for…