Parents (n=33) of children with disabilities, who were leaders in parent organizations, were questioned about their experiences in being mentored and in mentoring others. Seven themes are identified relative to effective mentoring of parents of children with disabilities. Specific mentoring activities are suggested and barriers to mentoring are…

This document presents one module in a set of training resources for trainers to use with parents and/or professionals serving children with disabilities; focus is on parent support groups. The modules stress content and activities that build skills and offer resources to promote parent-professional collaboration. Each module takes about 2 hours…

Intended for parent and other advocacy groups interested in studying the quality of local public special education programs from a consumer perspective, the packet of information (in looseleaf format) provides an organized way of collecting information, reviewing it, and drawing conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of the local program.…

A study evaluated Parent to Parent mentoring programs in five states. The 56 parents who participated in the program showed statistically significant positive gains on measures of coping, attitude, and progress on addressing problems compared to 72 controls. A qualitative study provided insight into what makes the program work. (Contains…

This directory lists 96 organizations that provide information, services, and/or referral to parents, educators, persons with disabilities, and others concerned with disabilities. Organizations are grouped according to their primary emphasis, as follows: (1) general disability information; (2) information for families; (3) legal rights and…

Materials have been assembled in these appendices to provide practical help to Community Advisory Committees (groups composed of parents, handicapped pupils or adults, professionals, and interested citizens). Materials are grouped under the following headings: (1) Legislative Fact Sheets, (2) Parent Handbooks and Pamphlets, (3) Newsletters, (4)…

A study examined the impact on parents when a young person with disabilities is involved in self-advocacy. Methodologies used included a literature review, interviews with nine families of young people with disabilities, collection of information about parent support initiatives, and discussion with a self-advocay group. During the course of the…

The Special Education Parents Alliance created an employment project seeking jobs in the business community for special education graduates and other persons with disabilities. The project serves learning disabled, educable mentally handicapped, trainable mentally handicapped, and physically disabled persons in DuPage County and portions of west…

Parents of disabled children throughout the country are organizing to find appropriate employment opportunities for their children by: writing proposals and obtaining funding for employment programs; improving in- school vocational programs for special needs students; advocating earlier vocational education; preparing work settings for supported…

This Spanish language information brief describes the Parent to Parent Program, which provides information and one-to-one emotional support to parents of children with special needs. The program trains experienced parents in the program and matches them with similar parents new to the program. Benefits of the program include: (1) providing parents…

Discusses the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the opposition of representatives of the disability community to proposed amendments relating to disciplinary procedures for children with disabilities. Provides a summary of the debate between general education organizations and the disability community. (CR)

This report describes Hong Kong's first parent resource center for parents of children with handicaps, which opened in August 1990. The need by parents for emotional, educational, material, and other support and services is documented. Parents of special children are seen as a resource for each other and as advocates for their children. The report…

This bibliography is designed to help families identify the many materials available on the subject of problem behaviors, behavioral disorders, and positive behavioral support. This list identifies selected resources to help families understand and positively address the behavior challenges associated with disabilities such as autism,…

This report discusses the findings of a study that examined the views of 15 Puerto Rican families of young children with special needs. Information about the beliefs, attitudes, and personal experiences held by these families was collected using an informal, open-ended interview format. Redefinition was a form of internal appraisal focused…

This issue of "OSERS" addresses the subject of independent living of individuals with disabilities. The issue includes a message from Judith E. Heumann, the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), and 10 papers. Papers have the following titles and authors: "Changes in the…