As a result of federal legislation, the effects of mainstreaming of special needs students are being felt now more than ever. Regular classroom teachers are responsible for much of the instruction for special needs students, even though they may lack necessary training in effective teaching techniques. Teachers of social studies may feel especially unprepared to deal with the needs of the disabled reader. This digest provides teachers with information and resources for differentiating social studies instruction for students with reading difficulties. Three questions are addressed: (1) Who is the disabled reader? (2) What are the special needs of disabled readers? and (3) What strategies can be used to teach social studies to disabled readers? (DB)