To study the influence that community settings have upon peer relationships and social behavior, 81 mentally disabled (retarded and emotionally disturbed retarded) adults were observed in their intermediate care residential facility and in one of four workshop programs. In summary, Ss tended to have more extensive affiliation and to aggregate more…

Presented are the proceedings of a special study institute whose primary purpose was to acquaint leaders in special education with the prevocational and vocational training of trainable mentally retarded (TMR) adolescents and young adults in sheltered workshops. Institute workshops are said to have considered the following topics: prevocational…

Studied the effects of conversation skills training for two retarded and one learning disabled participant in a sheltered workshop. Results indicated that participants improved their use of targeted conversational skills over the course of training, but had difficulty generalizing target behaviors to other individuals. (JAC)

This fact sheet reports data from a national survey of state mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD) agencies. The survey was designed to investigate the distribution of people supported by state MR/DD agencies in integrated versus facility-based day and employment services and the levels of funding. Results indicate that while the…

A multiple-component strategy was investigated for aiding staff responsible for supervising production of 16 lower-functioning retarded clients (ages 20 to 53) on contract tasks in an institution-based sheltered workshop. Production performance increased during the production supervisory strategy with all 16 clients, with the range of increase…

Monetary costs and benefits of supported employment to individuals with mental retardation (n=20), taxpayers, and society were assessed, as was the quality of life of supported employees. Supported employment was found to be cost-effective over a five-year period during which programs moved from sheltered to supported employment. (DB)

While supported employment has made significant gains since its formal introduction in 1984 (P. L. 98-527), segregated services continue to outpace the growth of supported employment. We discuss these and other important trends in this article, and conclude with recommendations that include (1) ensuring that all young adults leave high school…

In Nepal, the estimates of the prevalence of disabilities vary, and there is sparse information specifically about people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Existing data suggest higher rates of prevalence of ID in the more remote northern area due to use of non-iodized salt, lack of health facilities, and extreme poverty. Superstitious beliefs…

Outlined is an occupational training program designed to teach work skills in different settings to trainable mentally retarded students 16- to 21-years-old. (CL)

Prior to the adoption of a Restrictive Procedures Guidelines Draft, baseline measures on the use of restrictive procedures were collected by observing selected retarded adult clients (N=13) in seven pre-selected settings (group homes or vocational shops) of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI) in Calgary, Alberta. An…

Systematic observations and ratings by self and others were part of an ethnographic approach to studying the self-concept of 48 severely to mildly mentally retarded adults in a sheltered workshop setting. Ss completed both the Self-Esteem Inventory for Adults and "The Way I Feel About Myself" Self-Concept Scale. Rehabilitation counselors completed…

Staffing patterns in 123 sheltered workshops in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are described through measures of professional density, and are related to varying organizational characteristics. Shops with no professionals serve fewer clients than those with professionals, and very little professional time is available per client. An…