In this article, two university students, Tyler Hnatuk and Rashaad Sayeed share their experience with education in an inclusive school and how that experience taught them about building a society for all. By sharing their story of a "youth partnership" they hope to enable others to be active in their communities and in their education.

This study provides understanding of college readiness from the perspectives of older first-generation college students who transferred from community colleges. Results indicate that life experiences contribute to academic skills, time management, goal focus, and self-advocacy. Research is recommended to improve nontraditional student advising and…

The project, "Learning Disabilities--Community Advocacy, Support, Employment, Education" (LD-CASE), was initiated to expand the personal/social, educational, and employment options of individuals with learning disabilities. The project is designed to provide LD adults with experiences that will increase their self-advocacy skills, establish…

This newsletter issue provides rehabilitation professionals with various information pieces concerning consumer leadership in supported employment of people with disabilities. First, a chart lists five questions concerning self advocacy and supported employment, and provides consumer responses to the questions. A second item describes…

This guide discusses participant-driven managed support in which people with disabilities and their families steer their own futures by having more control over the money used to provide long-term supports. After an introductory chapter, chapter 2, "What Is Managed Care," describes managed care, traditional managed care players, and the 10 tools…

This article describes an integrated services transition model for individuals with disabilities that promotes self-determination with three phases: (1) assessment; (2) planning; and (3) strategy implementation. Self-determination opportunities in transitioning from school to adult life are identified. The article emphasizes the importance of an…

Historical background is presented on the self-advocacy movement for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Australia and the United States. Problems in the establishment and maintenance of advocacy programs are identified, and suggestions are made for ensuring the growth and vitality of the self-advocacy movement in Australia. (MSE)

This article discusses a model transition program and curriculum, ChoiceMaker, which focuses on helping secondary students with disabilities learn those self-determination skills characteristic of successful individuals. The curriculum is organized around 37 self-determination concepts grouped into 7 areas. Student participation in the…

Describes key elements for the successful transition of adolescents with learning disabilities to postsecondary education, focusing on intervention activities for high school counselors. The significance of career counseling and transition programs is demonstrated using a case illustration of how a learning-disabled student made a successful…

Opinions of professionals from 16 agencies were obtained to identify techniques that agencies serving adults or adolescents with mental retardation could utilize to provide systematic sex education and counseling. Recommendations are offered in five areas: self-advocacy and self-determination, individual design, staff training and support,…

This commentary discusses whether the American Association on Mental Retardation should change its name. The history of the term "mental retardation" is reviewed and it is argued that any new term will take on similar risks. The need to involve self-advocates in any terminology change is stressed. (Contains 5 references.) (CR)

In this response to an article that explores the practice of social inquiry in professional work by drawing from the democratic ethics of John Dewey (Danforth, 2001), tensions, unresolved issues, and seeming paradoxes in Dewey's thinking are discussed. The value of multi-perspective and multi-voiced inquiry is emphasized. (Contains references.)…

This article examines factors affecting the participation and achievement of students with disabilities in teacher education programs. It considers federal legislation affecting their involvement in such programs, their admission, performance of essential teaching functions, accommodation provision and accessibility, basic skills competency…

This study involved a content analysis of the transition goals of 136 students (mean age 17) with mental retardation for those which addressed skills related to self-determination. Results indicated very limited emphasis on such skills. Discussion focuses on the need to provide systematic instruction in elements of self-determination to students…

Words can be powerful tools to engage students with disabilities in self-determined behaviors. When teachers are cognizant of their choice of words and manner of interaction, they can empower students to develop a sense of who they are, what they are capable of doing, and why they behave the way they do. This article explores how everyday…