Music improves spatial reasoning, which is vital to strengthening the mental circuits used for mathematics. Dance develops critical thinking skills along with persistence and perseverance. Drama becomes a partner in the development of abstract thought and speaking skills. And the larger process of creating musical theater encourages cooperation,…

This paper explores the intersection of Western art music and disability in relation to musical performance. Building on Joseph Straus's essay titled "Normalizing the abnormal: disability in music and music theory", this paper explores three main topics: the theoretical distinction in Disability Studies between impairment and disability; the…

Young Children and the Arts: Nurturing Imagination and Creativity examines the place of the arts in the experiences of young and very young children at home and in out-of-home settings at school and in the community. There is great need for development of resources in the arts specifically designed to introduce babies and toddlers to participatory…

The directory lists exemplary arts programs that successfully involve handicapped people as identified by the Model Site and Special Projects Programs. Model sites, which provided replicable program examples in the arts (music, dance, drama, visual arts) and special education, were selected via a comprehensive application and review process.…

The 23 papers were written by staff and consultants of the Arts in Special Education Project of Pennsylvania, a program to provide assistance to educators in the development of appropriate quality arts programing for handicapped students. After two overview papers, the papers are grouped by category--art, dance, drama, and music. Papers have the…