Analysis of responses of 76 consumer members of the American Council of the Blind to an employment concerns questionnaire found that their primary needs were for more help in developing job search strategies, in obtaining information on career opportunities, and in financing assistive devices. (Author/DB)

Discusses appropriate care for children affected prenatally or after birth by parental chemical dependence. There is increasing evidence that environmental intervention by professionals and other caring adults can alleviate these children's distress. Maximizing their development also depends on implementation of child welfare protections and the…

This study analyzed 1,468 special education directors' perceptions regarding personnel needs, quality of preparation, training needs, and administrative policies/practices for mainstreaming students with disabilities. Administrators with special education teaching experience or course work had higher levels of mainstreamed students. The highest…

Reports on research by library science students for a public library to determine the information needs of a community's health-care professionals, their views of patient information needs, and the public library's ability to meet those needs. An added benefit was positive public relations with the medical community. (Contains 14 references.) (EAM)

Early intervention professionals (n=26) reported that they spend more time with families from cultural backgrounds other than their own in eliciting concerns, attempting to understand the family's needs and customs, and explaining the Individualized Family Service Plan process. Families from lower socioeconomic and educational backgrounds were…

Describes new educational approaches and classroom management procedures that are changing the professional education program at a business consulting firm. Highlights include a needs assessment study; skills development; specialists; adapting to change; computer-based self-study training programs; curriculum reassessment; and curriculum…

The results of a needs assessment of secondary science teachers (n=405) in the state of Kansas are presented. The assessment consisted of sections addressing teaching strategies, status of science education, state of the science curriculum, and material needs. Responsibility and teaching experience, educational preparation, common concerns, need…

Data from a survey of 299 practitioners were assembled to identify needed competencies of administrative and direct service personnel in implementing postsecondary support programs for learning-disabled students. Key competencies identified by instructors include assessment skills, cognitive interventions, and instructional skills, whereas…

Analysis of service needs of families caring for 571 young adults with mental retardation found that requests for community living were related more to family stressors than to characteristics of the young adult or participation in regular daytime activities. Services most requested were those representing normalizing activities. (Author/JDD)

This paper presents a review and comparison of qualitative improvements in the organization, needs assessment, educational methodology, evaluation, and research in continuing medical education in the United States and Canada. Accreditation, medical schools, medical societies and specialty boards, and health care systems and continuing medical…

Practices in needs assessment are reviewed since 1981, the year the federal government changed the role it plays in promoting needs assessment in the public sector. The review is based on reports published to 1993 and indicates that needs assessment is flourishing in a variety of settings. (SLD)

Describes the efforts at Pace University (New York, NY) to develop and refine electronic classrooms. Topics include technology integration; needs assessment; ergonomics and environmental design issues; small-group instruction for faculty training, including cross-departmental partnerships; student feedback; and faculty feedback. (LRW)

The Census Bureau's 1999 Survey of Income and Program Participation found that Internet access and computer use by people with visual impairments is substantially (30 percent) less than that for people with no disabilities. Age, employment, and the presence of additional impairments also affected computer use. Results suggest over a million…

This article summarizes what is known about: (1) Vietnamese history and immigration patterns; (2) probable demographics of consumers within the Vietnamese American community who would need speech-language services; (3) the culture and structure of the Vietnamese-American family; and (4) traditional Vietnamese medical practices. Six principles for…

The current status of street children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is characterized by marginalization from society through street vending, begging, theft, and prostitution. Evaluation of a drop-in center serving children without family linkages indicates need for needs assessments, follow-up activities, measurement of individual child progress,…