A meaningful classification for living, work, and education was achieved by grouping 159 persons who were blind or visually impaired into 5 groups ranging from low to high functioning, according to 7 independent living skills: family responsibility; health and hygiene; legal awareness; community awareness; money management; social/interpersonal…

Describes a process for collection of data for training evaluation to ensure that the appropriate knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics are trained and that skill levels obtained meet minimum job requirements. Examples of a job analysis task rating form, task importance scale, ability scale, and abilities definitions are…

The opinions of special and regular class educators (n=353) concerning computer instruction for students with learning disabilities were surveyed. Results indicated teacher concerns for training in basic computer literacy. Highly rated instructional priorities included computer use for drill and practice and for activities increasing motivation to…

This article examines vocational programing for students with disabilities in the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Trends are identified in transition, technology and worksite modification, and employment of people with disabilities. The new law's requirements concerning employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and…

Reviews the history of the development of the field of performance technology. Highlights include early teaching machines, instructional technology, learning theory, programed instruction, the systems approach, needs assessment, branching versus linear program formats, programing languages, and computer-assisted instruction. (LRW)

Describes the development of CARAS (Computer-Assisted Risk Accountability System), a school-based case management system for at-risk students that is being pilot-tested in several school districts in the state of Washington. Highlights include needs assessment; monitoring and follow-up; problems; program evaluation; and future plans. (Contains two…

A survey of Kansas jail administrators investigated the kinds of training available to them (seminars, correspondence courses, on-the-job training courses), how they felt it met their needs, incarceration trends, jail facilities, and the perceived need for a standardized jail training course and/or jail officer academy. (MSE)

A survey of 21 superintendents and administrators of boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities in 12 rural northwestern Ohio counties examined problems in recruitment and retention of special education teachers and ancillary personnel and rural factors contributing to these problems. Recommends strategies to address personnel…

This article presents results of a study of the first-year teaching experience of 103 teachers of students with visual impairments in Illinois. The study identified needs of beginning teachers and offered recommendations for universities and school districts to curb these teachers' high rate of attrition. (Author/DB)

Discusses multicultural marketing and the use of new technologies by performance technologists to improve communication. Topics addressed include needs analysis, including cultural considerations; pilot testing; multilingual considerations; translation; the cost effectiveness of adequate planning; and centralized communication. (four references)…

Selected executive directors of local and national Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) service organizations were asked about their need and desire for a national organization. Replies of 12 local and 8 national directors confirmed the desire for such an organization and suggested various models for its organization. (SLD)

Discusses three configurations that were developed for the Integrated Information Center (IIC) at the University of Minnesota. These configurations--basic, intermediate, and advanced--represent increasing sophistication of support capabilities, increasing costs, and possible stages of implementation, depending on the requirements of the academic…

Describes results of a telephone survey of public libraries in Colorado that was conducted to assess both the attitudes and the needs of microcomputer users. Topics discussed include staff use of microcomputers; public access microcomputers; user fees; and types of hardware and software used, and types desired. (LRW)

Questions concerning identifying and treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are addressed, including whether ADHD is a handicapping condition, and what guidelines should be used for determining the need for educational services. A psychoeducational paradigm is presented to help school psychologists design effective programs for…

This study evaluated 2,815 adults with developmental disabilities in 328 Illinois intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities. Only 10 percent were determined to be appropriately placed in medical settings; 27 percent were enrolled in day training programs; and many individuals recommended for alternative residential settings had medical and…