Use and non-use of assistive technology by people with physical disabilities were explored. Also examined were the beliefs subjects held about technology use and the quality of their lives. The study began in 1986 with five women with severe cerebral palsy and five men with spinal cord injuries. All participants were equipped with one or more…

In an effort to gather citizens' opinions on utility rates, public service, local amenities, housing, the business climate, and community improvements, the City of Scottsbluff, Nebraska conducted a survey in December 1993. Questionnaires were mailed to 6,313 community residents, asking them to rate elements of the City on a scale of 1…

This Interview Guide provides a framework for gathering information necessary to design individualized community-based services and supports based upon the needs and desires of persons with developmental disabilities. It is not designed to be a functional assessment or a clinical evaluation, but rather a more informal and relaxed approach to…

A nationwide telephone survey of 1000 non-institutionalized disabled Americans aged 16 and over was conducted to examine the impact of disability on the quality of respondents' lives--their work, social life, daily activities, education, and personal life, as well as to identify barriers to their inclusion in the American mainstream. Major…

This report examines aspects of life at Bureau of Indian Affairs off-reservation boarding schools (BIA ORBS) that might negatively influence the physical and psychological development of students. The project consisted of several phases: (1) telephone interviews with 40 former ORBS students; (2) intensive visits by research teams to three ORBS and…

This study examines economic development in Third World countries and the use of portable video systems in development projects. The study, conducted in 1985, attempts to measure the level of effectiveness of videotape programs as a communication tool for training rural subsistence women in Honduras in technical aspects of pig-keeping. Classical…

This evaluation project was designed to assess 37 persons (ages 21-72) who had moved from intermediate care facilities or skilled nursing facilities into innovative one-person or two-person community integrated living arrangements as a result of the Supported Placements in Integrated Community Environments project. The 37 persons had severe or…

This report describes the methodology used in an evaluation study to measure the effectiveness of the West End Special Education Local Plan Area's program for improving the transition of special needs students from secondary school into adult life. Goals of the San Bernardino, California, study included measuring students' quality of life upon…

This report summarizes and documents the major technical aspects of the High School and Beyond (HS&B) third follow-up survey conducted during the spring and summer of 1986. Young persons who, either as sophomores or as seniors, had participated in the base year survey in 1980 were contracted for the fourth time in 1984 and asked to complete…

A statistical analysis of an adult high school was conducted to determine factors for achievement and enhancement of quality of life of adult learners. Participants were 206 adult students studying English as a Second Language or enrolled in upgrading and business courses at a metropolitan Toronto (Ontario, Canada) secondary school. Variables…

This study sought to better understand the academic and social aspirations of undergraduate women in Guam and Japan. A survey question examined whether significant differences existed between Guamanian and Japanese undergraduate women in status aspirations and occupational ethics and in their life course selection. The questionnaire's five…

This study examined the impact of deinstitutionalization of the mentally retarded on their communities, the extent of availability of support services, and the extent to which the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation assures adequate quality of support services and day programs for people with mental retardation living in community…

In November 1988, a study was conducted to identify factors contributing to the quality of life of retired persons in southeast Kansas. A random sample of 366 Labette County residents over 59 years of age was surveyed by mail regarding their social life, housing, income, health, and the social and economic environment in Kansas. Study findings,…

Through an effective wellness program, one can improve his/her lifestyle to achieve a healthy, long life. The concept of wellness is defined in the beginning of this booklet. Next, the benefits of a wellness program are noted. A section is devoted to a "healthstyle" self-test developed by the U.S. Public Health Service. Once the…

This case study illustrates the application of Mega--adding measurable value for all stakeholders including society--as the central and ultimate focus for needs assessment. In this case, two needs assessment studies were conducted within a five-year period (1999-2003) with the State of Ohio's Workforce Development (WD) program. An initial needs…