Abstract
This paper argues that mainstreaming handicapped children is appropriate and beneficial to all students. The paper also examines existing literature on the topic in order to determine the most effective method of mainstreaming as well as how to improve upon the process.

From the Paper
"In education, the practice of teaching mentally or emotionally handicapped children in regular classrooms with non-handicapped children is known as mainstreaming. There has been an increasing interest in this practice since the 1960s due to numerous factors. For example, recent research shows that many handicapped students learned better in regular than in special classes. In addition, there have been charges that racial imbalances existed in special education classes. The federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, which states that all handicapped children have the right to a "free and appropriate" education in the "least restrictive environment", has been frequently interpreted as supporting the expansion of mainstreaming (Columbia University Press, 2003)."

Tags:special, disabilities, compatible, classroom, prepare, understanding, emotional, behavioral, difficulties

From the Paper
"The needs of special children with problems in development and learning is an issue gaining increased awareness among educators. A number of factors have contributed to this growing recognition of the need for evaluation and treatment services in educational as well as rehabilitative settings. One of these factors is a variety of advocacy efforts and legal actions taken by parents on behalf of special children. A second factor, which has grown out of such legal actions, has been the enactment of legislative bills by state and federal governments. Of these, the passage of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, in 1975 represents the most comprehensive acknowledgement of the educational rights of special children.

PL 94-142 is an education law which guarantees educational ... "

Abstract
The paper gives a brief history of the treatment of special needs children in the US and explains how these children are institutionalized. The paper also discusses the Education for all Handicapped Children's Act and explains that although it improved matters, it ultimately failed as it did not address all issues. As a result, a report was authorized by Congress and thus the Education Disabilities Act came into effect. A number of provisions are stated, namely education will be free, the child has a right to free evaluation and the child's parents have a right to input into decisions. In addition, two other factors are also discussed in the paper: inclusion and mainstreaming.

From the Paper
"After seeing the report, Congress began to enact reform legislation to address the problems outlined and better meet the needs of disabled children in the United States, assuring them equal educational opportunities. This lead directly to the Individuals with Education Disabilities Act (IDEA) of 1997. The legislation successfully met a Supreme Court challenge to its constitutionality in1999. There are six provisions to the bill. It says that education will be free, and the child has the right to a free evaluation. The child's parents have input in all decisions. Individual education programs in the least restrictive environment are guaranteed, along with procedural safeguards in place to insure the rights of the disabled child".

Tags:Congress, special, needs, children, free, education, free, evaluation, inclusion, mainstreaming

Abstract
This paper explains that the Education for All Handicapped Act of 1975 gives children with disabilities the right to special education by directing funds to states and local districts for the education program of disabled children. The author points out that the core of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the Individualized Educational Program (IEP), a contractual agreement, which is specifically designed for each disabled student. The paper relates that the least-restrictive-environment mandate states that children with disabilities have the right to be educated in a regular educational environment without discrimination.

Table of Contents
IDEA and IEP
Developing IEP
Programs for Special and Gifted Children
Programs for the Physically Handicapped Children
Programs for Mentally and Behaviorally Handicapped Children
Programs for Children with Health Problems
Right to Regular Educational Environment
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This covers children with physical disabilities such as visual, hearing, and orthopedic impairments. Such children may be permitted to attend education in their respective residence, or in separate classes. If attending in a regular class, special assistance and supervision must be provided. Some of the provisions that physically handicapped students may need are instruction in Braille for the blinds; large books, proper lighting, audible instructions, use of sign language, and speech workshops for the deaf; physical therapist for the orthopedic disabled. Special environment characteristics may also be needed such as the presence of ramps and wide doorways for wheelchairs, or the presence of appropriate handles to assist them (for instance, in toilets and stairs)."

Tags:funding, local, states, individualized, classroom

Abstract
This paper discusses how to integrate physically disabled children into a normal school setting through specially designed programs and the definite advantages of this integration. It evaluates how children interacting with their other normal peers and growing up in a normal setting show their optimal level of performance and sometimes surpass their normal peers to a level that helps to confidently face the real life situation later in life. It also shows how children without disabilities can realize their abilities in this situation and learn to treat disabled children with respect.

From the Paper
"Another important aspect, which is necessary for the successful integration of disabled children in a normal school environment, is the attitude of the teacher. The teacher is a key to success for a child with disabilities. The attitude and abilities of the teacher to help out the disabled students plays a significant role in defining the success of the special education programs. If the teacher is able to create a sense of love and affection among the disabled children, they are likely to follow his or her instructions and therefore their performance will improve."

Tags:special, education, programs, teacher, parents, handicapped

Abstract
A paper which identifies the stress placed on families of children with Down's Syndrome. It identifies the stressors specifically identified with having a Down's Syndrome child in contrast to the normal stresses associated with parenting a normal child. The study determines whether the parents of Down's Syndrome children experience greater levels, more frequent or more chronic stress symptoms than parents of normal children. The study examines the effects of poverty on both the parents of normal and Down's Syndrome Children. The study examines the effects that these stresses are likely to have on the family and outcomes of the handicapped child. It focuses on the stresses associated with families of low socio-economic status who have Down's Syndrome children. The author offers suggestions as to the types of programs, which may be helpful to improving the outcomes for both the children and their families. It offers suggestions as to how to help these families gain better access to education and services tailored to their specific needs.

From the Paper
"Many factors have been shown to affect the ability of the family to adapt to changes and stress, such as the birth of a handicapped child. Research by Flaherty (2000) investigated adjustment in mothers and fathers rearing children with Down s syndrome. He compared families who had a Down s syndrome child by birth with families who had knowingly adopted a child with Down s syndrome. He surmised that the families who adopted children with Down s Syndrome were more likely to be well-adjusted. Actual results, however, demonstrated that birth mothers and fathers were functioning quite similarly to adoptive mothers and fathers on the outcome variables. Overall, birth as well as adoptive families appeared to be adjusting well to the challenges of rearing a child with Down syndrome. (Flaherty, 2000). This study would lead us to believe that stresses are the same whether the situation was a surprise or expected."

Tags:socio-economic, status, Early, childhood, Intervention, Programs, handicap

Abstract
This research paper analyzes the specific challenges educators face when teaching bilingual children with special education needs. Specifically, it attempts to address whether early intervention for at-risk bilingual children with disabilities and other handicaps or other specific tools and academic strategies will improve learning outcomes. The paper also provides statistics on the unique challenges educators must address when working with special education bilingual students.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Problem Statement
Background
Preliminary Literature Review
Methods
Theoretical Framework & Data Collection

From the Paper
"Amato & Baca (1989) note that throughout history bilingual education has shifted multiple times, from "nonbiased native-language assessments" to specific services directly related to a student's special needs and bilingual ability (168). Many consider the field of bilingual special education one that is emerging and growing. Baca & Cervantes (1989) note a need for a bilingual special education "interface" exists that incorporates training for special education students and teachers (168). Amato & Baca (1989) observe that certain teacher competencies are clearly necessary for bilingual special education teachers, competencies that must be more clearly defined. Neuman & Roskos (1997) and other researchers including Gonzalez-Bueno (2003) suggest promoting literacy among bilingual special education students should be a primary concern for educators. They suggest use of a bilingual alphabet will help facilitate this process."

Tags:handicap, BINL, minority

Abstract
The writer reviews four children's books that have children with disabilities in the book; "Darlene" by Eloise Greenfield, "Mandy" by Barbara D., "My Friend Jacob" by Lucille Clifton and "Thank You, Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco. The writer describes the girl in a wheelchair, the girl who is deaf, the young man with Downs syndrome and the girl with a learning disability, and relates his personal reflections on all four books.

From the Paper
"Darlene is a book about a realistic elementary aged girl who is in a wheelchair. The book takes place at Darlene's uncle's house after school while she is there waiting for her mother. Darlene is bored, she plays with her cousin doing a variety of things and sings with her whole family when her mother arrives. The book never mentions that Darlene is in a wheelchair but it depicts in the pictures how she can play all different kinds of things with her cousin such as jump rope, a board game and catch with a ball. Darlene is grumpy in the book because she is anxious for her mother to arrive but she is happy overall. She is depicted as a normal kid who just looks different in the pictures. Darlene shows her self determination in the book by continually asking her uncle if it is time for her mother to come get her yet and telling him that she wants to go home."

Tags:special, education, inclusion, handicaps, Down, syndrome, wheelchair, deafness

Abstract
The science fiction literary classic, "Flowers for Algernon", details the story of a young, mentally handicapped man named Charlie Gordon, who becomes the subject of an intelligence experiment by a group of researchers. The paper highlights one of the most striking aspects of Charlie's mental and social journey; the sense of profound isolation that surrounds him at both poles of his intellectual progression. The paper powerfully portrays the difficulties involved in educating a developmentally delayed child and a gifted child. The paper emphasizes the message of the book; special children must have their individual needs fulfilled, yet must also have a healthy social environment and be part of a normal peer group and family.

From the Paper
"The divide between what is considered normal can be as cataclysmic for a gifted child as it is for a developmentally delayed child. Such is the lesson conveyed by Flowers for Algernon. The book details the story of a young, mentally handicapped man named Charlie Gordon, who becomes the subject of an intelligence experiment by a group of researchers. The researchers have enhanced the intelligence of a mouse, the Algernon of the title, so that it is capable of beating Charlie at a series of intelligence tests. Charlie volunteers to be the first human subject of such intellectual enhancement experimentation."

Tags:intelligence, gifted, developmentally-delayed, peers

Abstract
The paper presents a research proposal to show how handicapped characters are treated throughout fiction works. The proposed study will explore books, stories, television shows and movies, mostly those that are designed for children, over a certain time period. This is in order to determine the way that handicapped characters evolve, the way that they are treated and whether there are more handicapped characters today than there were previously.

Outline:
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Methodology

From the Paper
"Fictional characters have been around for hundreds of years, but very few of these characters have had any kind of noticeable handicap. It is necessary, therefore, to understand why this is the case and what it means for society, as well as to discuss the characters that are handicapped in order to determine information about them, their handicaps, and why they were chosen over others. The topic is relatively wide, and therefore it must be narrowed down somewhat. For purposes of this research proposal the examination of contemporary literature and handicapped characters will be limited to American literature in the late 20th century with specific emphasis on several books/authors."

Tags:society, disabilities, mental, physical, understanding, acceptance