Words can be powerful tools to engage students with disabilities in self-determined behaviors. When teachers are cognizant of their choice of words and manner of interaction, they can empower students to develop a sense of who they are, what they are capable of doing, and why they behave the way they do. This article explores how everyday…

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) youth are coming out at younger ages, but schools have not changed as fast as the culture, leaving many youth isolated and at risk of violence and harassment. For GLBT youth of color, these problems are exacerbated by racism and the risk of rejection by their ethnic community. Children of GLBT parents…

Presents the findings of a study that examined the personal characteristics contributing to the postsecondary academic success of students with learning disabilities. Results, based on interviews of directors of learning disability support services, reveal that successful students are motivated toward realistic goals, are academically prepared,…

Secondary students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and health impairments (n=16) learned a self-advocacy strategy via an Interactive Hypermedia Program (IHP) or through live instruction. After instruction, each student ran his own Individualized Education Program conference. The IHP was as effective in teaching the students the…

Specific self-determination skills have been identified as being related to the successful transition of students with learning disabilities to postsecondary education. This study developed and validated a model program which was effective in teaching secondary students the self-determination skills of self-advocacy and self-awareness. (DB)

In this study, 35 college students with disabilities identified the following barriers to their success: lack of understanding and acceptance of disabilities, lack of adequate services, lack of sufficient financial resources, and lack of self-advocacy skills and training needed to live independently. Tips for eliminating barriers are included.…

A case study of a graduate student with language-learning disorders is used to demonstrate the development of self-determination abilities. Academic and communication interventions were used to foster development of the student's self-knowing and self-valuing as the basis for becoming a self-determined individual. The role of the speech-language…

Qualitative narrative inquiry was used to explore identity formation in four gifted college students with learning disabilities. Themes that resulted fell under 2 categories: contextual and personal. Contextual themes that emerged included support systems and involvement in extracurricular activities. Personal themes included self-knowledge,…

This article describes how an educator used a portfolio approach to teach self-advocacy skills to four middle school students with visual impairments. Students wrote about their visual impairment and learning needs, compiled lists of specific words and definitions related to their individual impairments, and wrote letters to their ninth-grade…

This article discusses a court case of an adolescent labeled retarded who was sexually assaulted. It examines implications of being spoken about and of others speaking for the labeled person. It then considers how a disability rights/People First framework could shift public and professional understandings and responses to human abuse. (Contains…

This article describes a process called "Photovoice," originally developed by Carolyn Wang and Mary Ann Burris (1997) in the field of public health, and illustrates how thirteen students with disabilities in three high schools used cameras and text to show and tell how they engage or fail to engage in their education. This article indicates a…

Examines shortcomings of the traditional high school special education curriculum and highlights a curriculum designed to assist students with mild disabilities in their transition to adulthood. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and self-advocacy and includes components on daily living, personal/social, occupational exploration, and…

A survey of personnel representing mental health/mental retardation/developmental disabilities agencies in 50 states investigated the self-advocacy needs of clients, training in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and impact of the ADA. Results indicated that clients needed training in advocacy-related skills and that the ADA had a minimal…

Interviews with 15 ninth and tenth grade students with learning disabilities (LD), their parents, and their resource teachers determined that the Self-Advocacy Plan is an effective program clarifying students' perceptions of their roles as learners with LD, increasing their understanding of LD as a condition, and developing awareness of…

The Learning Disabilities Program at Arizona State University stresses development of independence and responsibility, self-advocacy skills, and realistic self-knowledge. Program services and the faculty perspective are described. Recommendations are made to assist learning-disabled students in developing survival skills before entering college.…