Trevor R. Parmenter

Principals’ Attitudes Towards the Integration of Disabled Children into Regular Schools

Abstract Principals from N.S.W. government and non‐government schools were surveyed to elicit their attitudes towards the integration of individual disabled‐children and the support services currently provided. Attitudes forwards mildly intellectually handicapped students in particular were also examined. Analysis of principals’ ratings for each educational/behavioural disability specified indicates that they are positive only about integrating children who demand neither extra competencies nor extra curricular duties from the regular class teacher. Results also suggest that principals are dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of support services routinely provided and now seek resource personnel with the expertise to directly assist the regular teacher in the classroom. Sub‐group variations among principals on both issues are also reported. Data on mildly intellectually handicapped students indicate little attitudinal change since a study undertaken in 1978, although knowledge of the most effective ...

Quality of Life as a Concept and Measurable Entity

This chapter proposes that “quality of life” (QOL) is a multidimensional concept, the measurement of which must contain objective elements of a persons life. It is further suggested that in the development of QOL measurement instruments the selection of items must be influenced significantly by the views of the population under study. Instruments to measure quality of life have been flawed owing to their inadequate conceptual bases and the attempts to utilise general measures which are often the “broad brush” to detect changes in disease specific situations. The chapter outlines conceptual approaches to quality of life and provides an analysis of a range of definitions. It provides an overview of a number of approaches to measure QOL in specific populations. Finally, it addresses some of the potential uses and abuses involved in the measurement of QOL.The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.(Albert Einstein, 1950, p. 59)

Has social policy left research behind

As scientists we often delude ourselves that the major changes in services for people with intellectual disabilities are a direct result of our energies. A study of history will reveal that by far the most significant forces to influence service delivery have been those related to social movements, cultural phenomena, political and economic forces. Currently in many countries, including both those that are highly industrialized and those that are still in the process of industrialization; social movements, embracing the principles of integration, normalization, and least restrictive environments, are resulting in deinstitutionalization and community living and working programs. Despite the richness of the research literature in areas such as identification, prevention, assessment, education and training in community living and working programs, the commitment to contemporary social policies seems to have left a vacuum between the promise and the reality. This dilemma will be briefly explored in the contex...

Evaluation and service delivery research in the area of severe intellectual disability in Australia

While research findings are not necessarily the most potent factors in determining service provisions for people with disabilities, research does play an important role in establishing whether program goals are being met as well as assisting service providers in achieving their goals. In the context of severe intellectual disability the current research leterature is often flawed by the quite imprecise definitions used to identify the people being studied, leading to difficulties in the interpretation of the results. Suggestions are made that may help to reduce these and other methodological deficiencies. A range of pressing research questions relating to service delivery programs are raised. Finally, it is suggested that cooperative research centres of excellence should be established in Australia along similar lines to the North American Research and Training Centres in Mental Retardation and the University Affiliated Programs.

Attitudes toward supported employment of parents and primary caregivers of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities

During the past decade, the delivery of vocational services for people with severe disabilities has shifted dramatically from work activities in segregated settings to real work in community settings. The services being utilised to achieve community-based employment are known as supported employment services. While a significant body of research has described the effects of the supported employment initiative on the lives of people with severe disabilities, little research is available that documents the perceptions and expectations of parents and/or primary caregivers to this approach to service delivery. In the present study, parents and primary caregivers of individuals with severe intellectual disabilities were interviewed to determine their attitudes toward supported employment in relation to their child/ward. Findings suggested that the respondents were generally satisfied and accepting of their childs/wards participation in supported employment. They felt that the supported employment programs of...

Predicting the Outcomes of a Work Preparation Program

This paper discusses results from analyses of various data concerning the characteristics of 178 mildly intellectually handicapped adolescents who were selected for training in the Granville Work Preparation Centre between 1974 and 1978. From the results of predictive and discriminative analyses it was found that the only significant predictors of gross training outcomes were the current level and complexity of the trainees intellectual functioning (IQ), his/her emotional adjustment and previous employment record. The results are discussed in the context of the roles of Work Preparation Centres in terms of their selection procedures and programs. The need for alternative forms of program objectives is stressed in the light of current employment difficulties. Some current work relevant to the community attitudes to these problems is mentioned.

National, metropolitan and local newsprint coverage of developmental disability

This study examines the coverage of developmental disability in local, metropolitan and national newspapers available in the Sydney area over an 8 week period. Newsprint was analysed in terms of content (topics considered, categorical focus, age of individuals or group of interest, possibility for improvement and means of improvement) and terminology used to refer to persons with disabilities. There were distinctive patterns in the topic coverage and use of terminology across the categories of newsprint examined. Nonpreferred terminology was most prevalent across all categories of newsprint.

Attitudes of Teachers and Parents in the Australian Capital Territory (A.C.T.) towards the Integration of Moderately Intellectually Handicapped Children.

Abstract This paper is a partial report of an investigation into the integration program at two A.C.T. special schools catering for moderately and severely intellectually handicapped children. Teachers and parents of the children at the special schools completed questionnaires concerning the conduct and outcomes of the program. The opinions of teachers at the regular schools were obtained by personal interview. Overall there were positive attitudes expressed towards the program. Areas of concern include the level of support required for the regular class teacher, the level of preparation the handicapped children required before integration commenced, a worry of parents that handicapped children may be exposed to unnecessary pressures in the regular school system, and the fact that mere exposure of a handicapped child to a regular school environment may not lead to effective integration in the larger community.

Program Development for the Acquisition of Work and Social Skills.

A series of experimental programs have been developed within the Granville Work Preparation Centre (GWPC) with the co-operation of the GWPC Research and Development Project, based at Macquarie University. Programs cover social competency, language development, instruction following, skill development, conceptual style, reading and task construction. Principles of instruction, training strategies and techniques are discussed in relation to programs developed to run concurrently with regular GWPC programs.

Application of a systems model in evaluating an innovative work experience program

Abstract This paper consists of three main components. First, it provides a description of the School Commission Innovations Program, together with its policies and practices with regard to the evaluation of funded projects, including an approach which involves the co‐operation of both project personnel and an external evaluation consultant. Second, it describes a work experience program for mildly intellectually handicapped children which was chosen for evaluation using this particular approach. Third, the design and results of the program evaluation are outlined using a systems model to conceptualize its inputs, process and outputs.