This report discusses findings from a study that investigated the effectiveness of a student's improved self-knowledge of his or her specific learning disabilities in achieving academic success and improved self-advocacy skills. Forty-four general and special education faculty members and para-educators, and 13 ninth-grade students and their…

This paper reports on a focus group discussion held in June, 1998, in Killington, Vermont, about a 3-year project in Vermont to encourage the self-determination of people with developmental disabilities. The project has involved training of four project teams, each composed of a person with a developmental disability, a family member, and a person…

Presents the findings of a study that examined the personal characteristics contributing to the postsecondary academic success of students with learning disabilities. Results, based on interviews of directors of learning disability support services, reveal that successful students are motivated toward realistic goals, are academically prepared,…

Secondary students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and health impairments (n=16) learned a self-advocacy strategy via an Interactive Hypermedia Program (IHP) or through live instruction. After instruction, each student ran his own Individualized Education Program conference. The IHP was as effective in teaching the students the…

Specific self-determination skills have been identified as being related to the successful transition of students with learning disabilities to postsecondary education. This study developed and validated a model program which was effective in teaching secondary students the self-determination skills of self-advocacy and self-awareness. (DB)

In this study, 35 college students with disabilities identified the following barriers to their success: lack of understanding and acceptance of disabilities, lack of adequate services, lack of sufficient financial resources, and lack of self-advocacy skills and training needed to live independently. Tips for eliminating barriers are included.…

A case study of a graduate student with language-learning disorders is used to demonstrate the development of self-determination abilities. Academic and communication interventions were used to foster development of the student's self-knowing and self-valuing as the basis for becoming a self-determined individual. The role of the speech-language…

Qualitative narrative inquiry was used to explore identity formation in four gifted college students with learning disabilities. Themes that resulted fell under 2 categories: contextual and personal. Contextual themes that emerged included support systems and involvement in extracurricular activities. Personal themes included self-knowledge,…

This article describes how an educator used a portfolio approach to teach self-advocacy skills to four middle school students with visual impairments. Students wrote about their visual impairment and learning needs, compiled lists of specific words and definitions related to their individual impairments, and wrote letters to their ninth-grade…

This article discusses a court case of an adolescent labeled retarded who was sexually assaulted. It examines implications of being spoken about and of others speaking for the labeled person. It then considers how a disability rights/People First framework could shift public and professional understandings and responses to human abuse. (Contains…

This book provides specific suggestions for ways to make accommodations and modify leisure activities to enable and encourage the participation of individuals with learning disabilities. The following chapters include: (1) "An Introduction"; (2) "Learning Disabilities," which describes types of learning disabilities, guidelines…

Examines shortcomings of the traditional high school special education curriculum and highlights a curriculum designed to assist students with mild disabilities in their transition to adulthood. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and self-advocacy and includes components on daily living, personal/social, occupational exploration, and…

This article describes a process called "Photovoice," originally developed by Carolyn Wang and Mary Ann Burris (1997) in the field of public health, and illustrates how thirteen students with disabilities in three high schools used cameras and text to show and tell how they engage or fail to engage in their education. This article indicates a…

Designed for students with disabilities, this publication outlines the steps needed for successful transition from high school to college and beyond. The guide urges students to find out about institutional entrance requirements, maintain a high grade point average, take pre-college examinations, take care with college applications, find financial…

Secondary students with mild disabilities often are unprepared to make a successful transition into adulthood. The traditional secondary curriculum for mildly disabled students focuses too much on remedial academics and not enough on the specific skills needed in social interactions, daily living, occupational choice, and employment. In addition,…