Presents definitions of the term "harassment" from the literature and government sources and proposes a definition of "disability harassment." Reviews existing literature, summarizes legal findings, and provides data on disability harassment. Suggests that the harmful psychological effects of any form of harassment are similar.…

Describes disability etiquette as it should be practiced by school counselors and other school personnel. Common courtesies are discussed regarding persons with physical, hearing, speech, emotional, mental, and visual disabilities. (CH)

Describes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law by President Bush in 1990, and explains possible impacts of the legislation on libraries. The goals of the ADA regarding people with physical or mental disabilities are explained, compliance to prevent discrimination is discussed, and possible litigation is mentioned.…

This article provides an overview of how the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) affects employment of individuals with disabilities. Examples from congressional reports are included in discussions of each of the five Titles; definition of disability; and specific provisions concerning essential job functions, reasonable accommodations,…

This article uses a short story by Jack London to discuss the classification of individuals with mental retardation and argues that mental retardation and its various definitions are manifestations of the typological thinking that inevitably creates a simplistic and misleading aggregation of people with very diverse needs and characteristics.…

This article explores implications of people's interpretations of communicative efforts by people with severe disabilities. Recent initiatives to support and promote self-determination are critically assessed as possibly functioning to limit self-determination. Use of preference assessments and behavior supports is discussed as a key to…

Focus groups of rehabilitation providers identified barriers to the employment of persons who are visually impaired and strategies to overcome them. The barriers included negative attitudes of employers and of persons with visual impairments, inadequate transportation, the lack of access to print, and administrative issues. Strategies for…

Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for 2000 and 2002, we compared potential and realized use of health care for a national sample of working-age women with cognitive disabilities. Despite having similar likelihoods of potential access to health care as compared to nondisabled women, they had markedly worse rates of receiving…

Viewing disabled people as historical actors, this essay ponders emerging disability historiography, distilling three key characteristics--the norm, prejudice and human agency--and applies them to specific cases related to the polio phenomenon of the twentieth century, focusing on the closely related experiences of childhood, families and…

This guide provides information on Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in a question-and-answer format for employees. The guide covers such topics as the following: which employers must comply; what employment practices and activities are covered; who is protected against employment discrimination; definitions of a person with a…

Continuing progress in science and engineering is essential to meeting the Nation's goals of improved international competitiveness and enhanced economic and social well-being for all citizens. The full utilization of human resources is a vital factor in the realization of this objective. Participation in science and engineering in the United…

This pamphlet outlines the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination against students on the basis of handicap, in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. The evaluation and placement procedures that schools must carry out to determine the educational needs of a…

Federal action to protect and secure the educational and employment rights of hearing impaired persons is reviewed. (CL)

Three authors present current controversies over the welfare of the mentally retarded in discussions of the plight and future of institutions. (Author)

Profiles the disabled population and raises questions concerning discrepancies in education, income, and treatment of disabled and nondisabled populations. Shows how social-psychological theories explain these circumstances; concludes that answers to questions are obtainable through psychological research that views disabilities from a civil…