The effects of two psychosocial treatments, Reality Orientation and Sheltered Workshops, were evaluated against an assessment-only control. Program effects were assessed before and after treatment using three variables: the Life Satisfaction Index-A, nurses' ratings, and behavior observations. Sheltered Workshops may be more beneficial for this…

A package comprising self-monitoring, self-administrative reinforcement, and performance feedback significantly increased the production rate of 13 mentally retarded adults in a sheltered workshop. (Author/CL)

Ethnographic methods were used to examine functions of a clique and informal leaders in a work group at a sheltered workshop for mentally retarded adults. Two leaders, an instrumental leader and a socioemotional leader, served to maintain group cohesion and allow members to act outside of direct staff influence. (Author/DB)

Personal interviews and agency records were used to examine month-by-month vocational histories of 53 sheltered workshop employees placed in competitive jobs. Most participants who were still employed after four to five years had parental support, while those who returned to the workshop or were unemployed did not. (Author/CL)

A job module approach, which combines training and production, is proposed as a systematic way of procuring subcontract work without disrupting the skill training aspect of sheltered workshop programs for moderately, severely, and profoundly retarded persons. (CL)

A system is described whereby sheltered workshop behaviors are transduced automatically by tools wired to operant programing and recording apparatus. (Author)

The major finding in this investigation indicates the need for social approval is positively related to self-ratings of sheltered workshop performance by clients. In addition supervisors ratings of clients were found to be positively correlated with both objective work performance and client self ratings. (Author/CG)

Discusses National Industries for the Blind which was established in 1938 as a result of the Wagner-O'Day Act. National Industries serves the vocational needs of multihandicapped blind people. (Availability: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401) (JOW)

Results indicated moderately increased work productivity, positive changes in collateral behaviors, and a high degree of self-monitoring accuracy among all employees. (Author/DLS)

Rehabilitation Facilities of Hawaii, Inc. is a non-profit corporation comprised of 12 facilities providing rehabilitation services in the State of Hawaii. Its objective is rehabilitation of severely-disabled individuals. Describes the steps it has taken toward this goal. (Author/RK)

The author reviews the strengths, weaknesses, and problems with sheltered workshop programs for the handicapped. (SBH)

Operation Heracles sought to promote the social and occupational advancement of workers with disabilities in sheltered workshops and occupational therapy centers in the Lower Rhine region. Preparation of workers for mainstream workplaces involved skills reviews, retraining, placement, and follow-up, with family participation. (SK)