In some ways raising deaf or hard of hearing children is no different than raising hearing children; expectations must be established and periodically tweaked. Benna Hull Timperlake, who with husband Roger, raised two hearing children in addition to their deaf daughter, Genelle Timperlake Sanders, and Genelle, now a deaf professional, share their…

Faced with the facts of economic inequality, the wealthy are confronted with a particular set of moral, social, and political questions, not least of which is the question of how to preserve a sense of being a "good" human being. In the case of justifying privilege, the problem becomes how to position oneself as being uniquely able to enact a…

Summarizes lessons learned from listening to individuals with disabilities at the fourth National Self-Advocacy Conference, "The Beat Goes On: Rhythms of the Self-Advocacy Movement." Discusses the views of the organization, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered, which addresses ways to support people who are in institutions and specific strategies for…

This theme issue presents personal perspectives and approaches to self-advocacy from individuals who are deaf-blind. Individual articles are: (1) "Self-Advocacy: Attaining Personal Stature" by Michelle J. Smithdas; (2) "The American Association of the Deaf-Blind: A National Consumer Advocacy Organization" by Jeffrey S. Bohrman;…

Four recommendations are provided for developing self-advocacy in individuals with mental retardation, to support national and local advocacy organizations. Guidelines include making specific and concrete recommendations, expressing one's needs, appreciating all stakeholders' limits, and appreciating that change is often slow. (PB)

This article identifies three "waves" of the disability movement (the professional, parent, and self-advocacy waves) and applies them to issues of control and choice in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. It identifies issues related to the self-advocacy movement such as group identity and the long-term role for people who are not…

This article presents a critical review of Steve Taylor's Caught in the Continuum. Steve Taylor describes the flawed thinking associated with the "least restrictive environment" (LRE) principle and the related continuum model of human services that linked severity of disability with segregation, and required improvements in skills as a…

Describes how art therapists can clarify their roles and assertively sell themselves to the public. Looks at the future of art therapy, defines assertiveness, explores the need for art therapists as mentors, details the need for change, and introduces some practical solutions to achieve change. (RJM)

A man with a developmental disability discusses the self-advocacy movement, the cruelty of stigmatizing labels such as "mentally retarded," and the need for greater involvement in professional organizations such as the American Association on Mental Retardation. He proposes a joint conference with a self-advocacy organization. (DB)

Twenty-nine recommendations were compiled from ideas generated by participants at the National Conference on Self- Determination, which was called by the United States Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, with over half the participants having disabilities of some kind. The participants came with different perspectives, but…

Illustrates with a hypothetical adolescent with a disability the use of the McGill Action Planning System for initial and follow-up transition planning. Shows how the system promotes self-advocacy for students and families and provides information useful in the Individualized Education Plan. (SK)

This article discusses self-determination for people with significant cognitive disabilities and their families. It argues that there is inadequate attention to the profound influence of significant cognitive disabilities on achieving self-determination and that cultural values influence one's definition of self-determination. Research needs are…

A woman with a developmental disability discusses self-advocacy, the need for self-advocates to be involved in professional organizations, and the need for professionals and society at large to be more inclusive in their attitudes and behaviors. (DB)

The Gates Chili Central School District (Rochester, NY) special education program has made a commitment to teach self-advocacy skills to its students with learning disabilities. The middle school program focuses on awareness of one's disability and test modifications, and the high school program concentrates on adult independence skills. (JDD)

This article chronicles the struggles of a student who is profoundly deaf and his relationship with a home tutor. His rejection of offered traditional supports (such as hearing aids, employment, placement in a community college) are discussed, along with the contributions of the disability movement in shaping his view of himself as…