The author of a study which followed up the 1979 deinstitutionalization of 10 adults with mental retardation reflects on his own professional career, his specialization in researching the cost-effectiveness of residential alternatives, and his surprise at the positive adjustment of these individuals to living independently in their own apartments.…

A report on the current status of 10 adults with mental retardation who were deinstitutionalized in 1979 found all 10 still were living independently. All had stable and satisfying lives according to their own reports and those of their case managers. Case managers reported moderate satisfaction with clients' competence in the areas of travel and…

A study investigated out-of-school outcomes for 505 students with disabilities. Conventional item analysis procedures were used to construct a priori quality-of-life composites (social relationships, employment, and independence) from 17 questionnaire variables. Results indicate that although quality of life is multidimensional, competence appears…

A study of 713 former special education students investigated the background characteristics associated with an elevated quality of life after leaving high school. Esteem, independence, and support were correlated with geo-economic, family, personal, and school program characteristics. Competency was found to be a primary quality-of-life factor.…

This research assessed the psychometric properties of the Multifaceted Lifestyle Satisfaction Scale, an interview examining satisfaction of individuals with mental retardation with their living arrangements and communities, personal relationships, recreation and leisure, employment, and degree of self-direction. Based on analysis of 149 subjects,…