Meaning of Family-Professional Partnerships: Japanese Mothers' Perspectives

This is the publisher's version, also found here: http://cec.metapress.com/content/320105660v870671/?p=52f7b6d4a5844bc8bbecd6b1be0b9ac9&pi=2TMs study inquired into the meaning of family-professional partnerships from the perspective offapanese families of children with disabilities. Data were collected from 30 mothers who participated in focus groups and/or interviews infapan. Qualitative data analysis guided identification of four themes. The study's contributions are discussed in relation to not only fapanese society, but also to the global community including the United States. The study's implications for developing partnerships with culturally diverse families also are discusse

Strategies to increase parent participation in IEP conferences

This is the publisher's version, also found here: http://sped.org

Due Process Hearing Officers: Characteristics, Needs, and Appointment Criteria

This is the publisher's version, also found here: http://sped.org/Characteristics and training needs of due process hearing officers in North Carolina were surveyed. It was found that current regulations governing appointments of hearing officers are insufficient to ensure appointment of qualified and impartial persons. Criteria were analyzed and suggestions for training and appointments are made

Procedural Due Process: The Two-edged Sword That the Untrained Should Not Unsheath

The issue of procedural due process is examined in this article by first analyzing the associated legal requirements of P.L. 94-142 and then identifying the "triggers" which professionals and parents can use to initiate a due process hearing. Problems and unresolved issues associated with interpreting and applying due process safeguards in terms of initiating, conducting, and governing the hearing and hearing officer are discussed. The concluding section of the article identifies specific training implications and creeds of due process hearing officers

Involving Students in the Planning Process

This is the publisher's version, also found at http://sped.org

La calidad de vida de la familia como resultado de los servicios: el nuevo paradigma

El artículo describe brevemente la transición del antiguo paradigma entre discapacidad y familia, centrado en “arreglar” discapacidades y el nuevo, que subraya los servicios y la investigación centrada en la familia, que es el modelo prevaleciente en la intervención temprana para niños discapacitados. La concepción de la calidad de vida de la familia se centra en cinco campo principales. En primero de ellos es el campo de la seguridad y la salud que comprende los aspectos de la salud física y emocional, acceso a atención sanitaria y la seguridad de los miembros de la familia. El segundo campo se centra en el apoyo de otros familiares o de entornos fuera de la familia para el beneficio de la persona con discapacidad. En tercer lugar está el campo de los recursos con que la familia cuenta para colmar las necesidades de sus miembros. El cuarto campo es el de la interacción familiar, las relaciones familiares. Y para finalizar el quinto campo de la calidad de vida familiar es el de ser padres, haciendo referencia a las actividades que los adultos realizan para ayudar a que sus hijos crezcan y se desarrollen