A table lists the total number of self-advocacy organizations for people with developmental disabilities, by state, for the years 1990, 1993, and 1995. The total number of such organizations grew from 374 in 1990 to 743 in 1995. (DB)

Presents an ecological approach (defining human problems as resulting from transactions between people and the environment) to social work practice for a minority. Emphasizes the strengths and limitations of the ecological perspective for practice. Focuses on Korean-American children and offers a case example involving a two-year-old boy. (RJM)

Transition is a dynamic lifelong process that seeks to meet individual needs as a person with disabilities moves from childhood to adulthood. Per laws in most states, once an individual becomes 18 years of age that person is considered an adult regardless of the level of his or her disability. Initiating planning for adult living activities and…

Special education literature abounds with a challenge to special educators to promote the acquisition of self-determination skills in their students. A critical component of self-determination that can be readily addressed in the school setting is self-advocacy. The authors believe that meeting the challenge of enhancing student's self-advocacy…

This 1994-95 directory of disability self-advocacy groups contains listings of over 700 organizations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The associations are organized by country and state or province. Listings typically contain the following information: the name of a contact (the name of the member who is the chair, president, or…

This monograph reports on an October 1991 forum on self-advocacy for persons with mental retardation in the leadership of The Arc, a national organization on mental retardation. The monograph is intended to help local chapters encourage the empowerment and inclusion of individuals with mental retardation as both members and leaders. First,…

The authors examine the meaning of independence for persons with a disability, note two prerequisites (access to the same opportunities of life and capacity to participate in those activities), and explore strategies to help disabled persons learn to choose how to live their lives (including personal life planning, problem solving instruction, and…

The role of self-advocacy in educational decision making is explored. A student's involvement in the individualized education program (IEP) development is considered. (CL)

Suggestions are provided for mental retardation service providers interested in closer cooperation with the self-advocacy movement. Tips emphasize sharing information, establishing local self-advocacy groups, encouraging convention participation, encouraging staff involvement, listening to consumers, and listening to the voices of the…

This article identifies three "waves" of the disability movement (the professional, parent, and self-advocacy waves) and applies them to issues of control and choice in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. It identifies issues related to the self-advocacy movement such as group identity and the long-term role for people who are not…

The purpose of this article is to awaken the reader to the possibilities which exist when working on Person-Centered Planning and the individual with intellectual disabilities, specifically, Down syndrome. Although Person-Centered Planning has been in existence for more than two decades, it is viewed in a new way through the experiences documented…

In this study, the author analyzed the effects of using the Self-Advocacy Strategy to increase student participation in Individualized Education Program conferences. An experimental design was used to collect data throughout the students' IPLAN program. Student participation and ability to self-advocate increased when the Self-Advocacy Strategy…

The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) was initiated to provide a national picture of the characteristics and experiences of youth with disabilities, including their self-representations, their schooling, their personal relationships, and their hopes for the future. This report presents findings drawn from the first time (2003) data…

Growing evidence suggests that self-determination is a significant factor in improving educational and transition outcomes in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This volume reviews the breadth of available methods for teaching components of self-determination--including choice making, problem solving, decision making, goal…

"Talking Stones" is an interview technique that is designed to support self advocacy, particularly for groups of disaffected school students whose views may be difficult to elicit. It has been developed and refined to incorporate a view of learners as active agents in their own learning and is compatible with reflective practice and a…