The teaching of sick children in hospital is an often overlooked aspect of Ireland's national education system. Prior to the 1970s, there was hardly any formal structure in place for this type of schooling in the country, despite the fact that many children could be inpatients for weeks or months at a time. In 1980, a report, published by the…

Implementation of disability policy is influenced by social, political, and cultural factors. Based on published work, this article discusses four guidelines considered critical for successful policy implementation from a cross-cultural perspective. These guidelines are to: (a) base policy implementation on a contextual analysis, (b) employ a…

This study explored human rights for Qatari women with disabilities, challenges and means of empowerment as perceived by females and males both with and without disabilities. The Questionnaire of the Rights of Women with Disabilities (QRWD) was developed using the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).…

Emerging policy in South Africa has had a marked impact on delivery of service by speech-language pathologists, particularly in the field of aphasia. This article describes major policy influences in the areas of language use, health, education, disability, and the elderly, which have had an impact on service delivery. Aphasia assessment and…

Inclusion is generally recognised as an ongoing, active process which reflects shifts in policies, practice and values as well as political choices made over long periods of time. Drawing upon research visits set 10 years apart, this study aims to examine how two schools with clear inclusive aspirations and intentions have weathered the last…

The purpose of this article is to describe the process of the development of the "Resilience Theoretical Analysis Matrix" (RTAM) (or in its Spanish translation: MATR), a tool designed to facilitate a coherent and organised approach to the assessment of a wide spectrum of factors influencing the development of resilience in the face of disability,…

Since the establishment of educational rights for children with disabilities in the 1970s, special education in the US has included a growing share of students and has constituted an ever-growing share of education budgets. Previous research has focused on the disproportionate assignment to special education of low-income and minority students,…

Through examining the case of people with epilepsy (which, as we demonstrate, has an ambiguous status in relation to both popular and academic conceptions of disability) we explore the fluid, negotiable and contingent nature of identity and, in particular, the identification as "disabled". Disability, we argue, cannot be reduced to either biology…

Political and national social ramifications surrounding the recommendations of the National Commission on Social Security Reform and imminent legislation by the U.S. Congress to ensure current and future financial soundness of the Social Security System are detailed. (MC)

Discusses the relationship between research and social and political policies, and proposes three major topics which need systematic and in-depth study: cultural and linguistic differences among children that impact their school experiences, the effectiveness of programs/interventions with children with exceptionalities, and long-term consequences…

An analysis of changing terminology in special education notes the influence of social, political, and advocacy forces on phraseology. The history of terms as they reflect social changes, changing views of various professional groups, legislation, and research terminology are described and discussed. (DB)

Focuses on introductory courses in special education teacher preparation and the need to include systematic presentation of highly current topics, events, and interrelationships from factor fields, including economics, sociology, law, government, ethics, politics, and medicine. Discusses the need to assist beginning students in making analytical…

The paper examines trends in the assessment of children in the public schools. A brief history notes changes in the role of school personnel relative to the assessment process, and considers economic factors (specialization and accountability) influencing the assessment function. Among the social/political factors influencing the assessment…

This report explores current assumptions about the social and scientific formulations and treatments of disability that currently underlie the research agenda in the disability field. Formulations that focus on disability as residing in the individual (Individual Pathology) are discussed. Treatment strategies resulting from this definition of…

This monograph on international disability issues offers three main papers giving English, Australian, and New Zealand viewpoints. The first paper is by Len Barton from England and is titled "Disability and the Necessity for a Socio-Political Perspective." Barton attacks the medical model of disability and argues that people with…