Described is the Specialized Training Porgram for severely and profoundly retarded adults, an applied research effort to develop practical habilitation procedures, design programs to implement them, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs using outcome criteria related to the quality of individual life. Development of the sheltered workshop program is discussed in terms of procedural development, vocational training issues, task acquisition, training efficiency, production setting issues, maintenance or increase in production rate, research needs in procedural development, organizational structure of the program model, the work flow system, the individualized treatment plan, and the management data system. Program evaluation is reported to indicate changes in participants such as increases in rates of social interactions, decreases in rates of self stimulation, and acquisition of self care and vocational skills. (DB)