This report uses data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students (NLTS) to look at the adult service experiences of young people with disabilities in their first 5 years after leaving secondary school. It focuses on five broad categories of service: (1) vocational assistance; (2) life skills training or…

The manual provides a guide to the Community Exploration Program for older adolescents and young adults with mental illness, offered at Thresholds, a psychiatric rehabilitation center in Chicago (Illinois). The program is designed to acquaint the youth with the types of jobs found in the community and offers both vocational and independent living…

This test manual provides information on the Adaptive Behavior Education Scale-Revised (ABES-R), a 25-minute behavior scale designed to evaluate adaptive skills in students with behavioral, learning, and intellectual disabilities, including educationally relevant behavior which may be identified as contributing to more appropriate diagnosis,…

This article analyzes educational policy for students with mild mental retardation in terms of four important outcomes: (1) successful employment; (2) development of independence; (3) the acquisition of life skills; and (4) successful involvement within the school and community. Inhibitors of successful outcomes are identified, and federal and…

This newsletter issue describes a programmatic line of research to develop and standardize a test battery of transition skills (employment and independent living skills) for adolescents and young adults (ages 14 to 25) who are deaf. The newsletter first discusses the importance of assessment data to the transition process for persons who are deaf.…

This guidebook provides behavioral-instructional strategies for teaching essential personal safety skills and promoting overall well-being to persons with developmental disabilities. Case studies demonstrate these strategies in practice, and detailed curriculum goals are included to guide intervention efforts. To ensure that learners both…

This study collected data on 413 students who exited North Dakota special education programs in 1988, including exiters who had graduated with a diploma, special diploma, or certificate; earned a General Educational Development certificate; or dropped out. Data were evaluated concerning demographic and educational characteristics of respondents,…

Gathered from teachers around the country, this collection of teaching ideas and lesson plans is designed to provide teachers with activities and strategies for educating students with visual impairments. Tips and information are provided on: making tactile teddy bears; memory strategies; making tactile books; creating art kits; using magnifiers;…

This technical manual describes "The Arc's Self Determination Scale," a student self-report measure of self-determination designed for use by adolescents with disabilities, particularly students with mild mental retardation and learning disabilities. The test was designed to be a tool to enable students to become more self-determined by…

The effectiveness of a multi-element approach to increase the self-determination of three adolescents with physical and multiple disabilities was examined. The intervention involved equipment and performance adaptations, brief in-school simulation training, and instruction and support for parents and home assistance providers. Dramatic increases…

This study was conducted to compare aging phenomena of persons with intellectual and developmental disability (ID) aged 40 years and older living in community residence (N=65) with those living with their families (N=43) in Jerusalem, Israel. All 108 persons and care givers were interviewed to ascertain health problems, sensory impairment,…

This resource manual for American Indians and Alaska Natives with significant disabilities lists sources of independent living information and resources available within tribal, state, and federal organizations. The first section defines independent living in the context of this population and introduces state level services, mechanisms for…

These guidelines were prepared to provide direction toward implementing a functional instruction curriculum that leads to independence and occupational skills for Ohio's developmentally handicapped and multihandicapped students. The curriculum uses a three-part definition of adaptive behavior, involving independent functioning, personal…

This sourcebook was developed to assist in systematically integrating persons with autism into the community. It offers practical methods and considerations in assessing student and family interests and needs, assessing community resources to meet the needs, and assessing students in community sites. Based on the assessments, individual student…

A transitional planning model implemented at St. Joseph's School for the Blind in Jersey City, New Jersey, incorporates a broad conceptualization of transition that includes social skills, independent living skills, and overall competence in adjustment to the community. The model considers parental involvement, advocacy, and leadership as…