A descriptive investigation was completed to determine the social and physical attributes leading to employment and social independence of 30 physically or mentally handicapped students. A two-stage inquiry was conducted: an interview of agency and school adults, and an interview of information sources associated with the 30 Ss. Results indicated that the following attributes contributed notably to success in employment: realistic involvement of family and/or someone within the school or agency on a personal level, degree of handicapping condition, and willingness to make personal adaptations. Further implications for special education programing included family counseling; independent living skills training emphasizing practical decisionmaking and problem solving, job seeking skills, functional academics, career exploration, and utilization of community, recreational and residential resources; and coordination of agency services. (More than half of the document is composed of 16 appendixes, including sample survey interviews and permission forms.) (CL)