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For many decades, the six national disability advocacy organizations that endorse the legislative agenda contained in this document have recognized the vital role the federal government plays in the everyday lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. From civil rights protections to community housing, from special education to Social Security benefits, from job training to basic health care, from transportation to long term supports and services and more, the federal government spends billions of dollars, both directly and in partnership with state government, on people with developmental disabilities. These programs are funded though entitlement programs such as Medicaid and Medicare and discretionary programs such as vocational rehabilitation, HUD housing, and education. Following an Introduction, the publication includes both fiscal policy and programmatic agenda. The partnering organizations call on Congress to: (1) Address the unmet needs of people with disabilities and their families before making further tax cuts or reforming tax policy so that it negatively impacts low wage earners and other vulnerable people; (2) Protect low income tax payers from paying higher taxes; (3) Enable people with disabilities to be independent and productive; (4) Protect and enhance, not erode, services and benefits for people with disabilities; (5) Assure that tax policies represent a sound investment and will not jeopardize the long term stability of people with disabilities and their families; (6) Protect the Social Security trust funds for use by current and future beneficiaries; (7) Raise sufficient revenues to balance the annual budget and finance the federal government's role in providing essential supports, services, and benefits for people with disabilities and their families; (8) Roll back or repeal tax cuts and adjust other tax policies that create a deficit or put existing disability programs at risk; (9) Avoid creating impediments to the states' ability to raise sufficient revenue to meet human needs; and (10) Assure the continuing ability of nongovernmental entities to support people with disabilities and their families. [Additional partners include: United Cerebral Palsy, American Network of Community Options and Resources; Association of University Centers on Disabilities; and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.]

Five years after the massive overhaul of the nation's welfare system, 21 Maine families receiving public assistance spoke about their lives during welfare reform. The following were among the key themes that emerged throughout the conversations: (1) those leaving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) often remain poor or very nearly poor; (2) few employee benefits are available to families leaving TANF; (3) low wages mean that families leaving TANF can't make ends meet; (4) many of those leaving TANF experience minimal job advancement and unsteady employment; and (5) family income affects the environments in which children are raised and their access to health care, which, in turn, affects children's well being. The conversations also indicated that the following types of assistance provided to TANF leavers in Maine were having a positive impact: (1) transportation assistance; (2) help with childcare; (3) multiple-barrier programs designed to provide flexibility in meeting individual families' unique needs; (4) support for education; (5) increased food stamp access; and (5) increased access to the Medicaid program for both adults and children. The families' stories underscored the importance of ensuring that the system for delivering services to families leaving TANF is flexible enough to respond to individual families' needs and obstacles. (MN)

This paper outlines major trends affecting both the nature of urban problems and the shape of much public interest problem-solving in the urban United States. Trends affecting cities and regions include the continued suburbanization of jobs, wealth, and political power; the evolution of a skill-intensive and networked global economy in which competitiveness is ultimately tested at the regional level; the decentralization of governance--including the devolution of key aspects of social policy to states and localities and deeper cultural demands that power be shared, that traditional authority and expertise are illegitimate; the marketization and nonprofitization of public responsibilities; and massive demographic change, in particular, the so-called "graying" and "browning" of America. Beyond a great deal of patience and courage, problem-solving in this context calls for specific civic skills--a reinvention of what de Tocqueville, in his landmark study of democracy in America 150 years ago, termed "the art of combining." Most urgent are the skills needed to confront five broad, recurrent challenges: learning together, organizing and shaping interests, seeking agreement and managing conflict, planning and deciding together, and producing together. (Contains 28 footnotes.) (Author/SM)

This paper presents rationale, strategies, and recommendations that the National Council on Disability believes are essential to how President George W. Bush and the new Administration can fulfill America's promise to its 54 million citizens with disabilities. President Bush is urged to install a disability friendly Administration, give disability issues high visibility in the Administration, exercise bold leadership in developing federal strategy, require federal agency accountability, particularly for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities, and oppose any legislative or judicial weakening of disability civil rights protections by U.S. Congress or the courts. Specific recommendations are provided for strengthening compliance with disabilities civil rights laws and address: (1) the Americans with Disabilities Act; (2) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; (3) the Air Carrier Access Act; (4) cultural diversity; (5) independent living; (6) the Assistive Technology Act; (7) health care; (8) housing; (9) transportation; (10) expanding work opportunity; (11) teleworking; (12) the Ticket To Work-Work Incentives Improvement Act; (13) youth with disabilities; (14) access to community living; (15) access to the political process; (16) mental health services; and (17) foreign policy. (CR)

This report discusses the needs of postsecondary education students who are deaf or hard of hearing and presents strategies for ensuring educational accessibility to campus services and programs. Part 1 considers general issues which characterize the process of student development in postsecondary education. It closes with the a brief discussion of strategies for fostering student development. Part 2 focuses on the full access and engagement of students who are deaf and hard of hearing in campus life, with general recommendations for communication and language access, barrier-free facilities, and programmatic initiates. These are applied to eight common campus life programs and services: college union facilities, housing, health services, recreational sports, judicial and campus safety programs, programs for students from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and international students, programs for commuter students, and accessing off-campus community resources. Recommendations include: (1) providing appropriate interpreting support and/or assistive listening systems; (2) installing appropriate visual alert fire alarms in all facilities that house student activities; (3) offering a special interest deaf and hard of hearing residence floor; (4) using universally agreed upon and stated visual signals in all competitive play; and (5) providing direct TTY access for on-campus emergency phone numbers. (Contains 20 references.) (CR)

This paper considers the importance of student housing to the goal of student learning, and suggests ways in which campus residential programs can become strategic partners in student learning. It proposes partnerships between campus housing professionals and faculty colleagues and presents a number of models for consideration: residential colleges; living-learning centers, specialized residential programs directly connected to specific academic programs; theme housing, which allows students with special interests to live together; academic residential programs, which provide academic support services and programs within the residential setting; residential learning centers, in which students who live together also attend class together; freshman year experience, which offers specialized housing configurations to maximize academic services to first-year students; and use of technology such as residential computer labs, in-room networks, and in-house cable televisions channels. Also considered is the contribution of architectural and interior design to the learning process. (CH)

This report examines the four program activities that account for two-thirds of delinquent debt owed to the Federal government: the Department of Education's Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) with $20 billion and the housing programs of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and Agriculture that total another $5 billion. Agency efforts to collect on delinquent debts were assessed and enhancements were identified to improve collections. The data collection period covered October 1995 through March 1997. Amounts of reported delinquencies for the four agencies changed with the largest increase being related to the FFELP which grew from $14 billion in 1992 to $20 billion in fiscal year 1995. Defaulted guaranteed education loans represented over half of the reported credit program delinquencies and about 40 percent of the federal government's total delinquent nontax debt. It was found that education debts are more difficult to collect than other types of federal loans because they are unsecured; delinquent cases are not referred until after initial collection, usually a 4-year period; and it is more difficult to locate highly transient borrowers. Summaries are appended that describe loan programs, efforts to improve debt collection, applicable laws, and amount of debt by agency. (JLS)

The developing child and his/her eco-social-cultural context is the focus of study of 28 children ages 0-3 years in the rural area of Cocal, Piaui in Northeast Brazil. Ethnographic methods, naturalistic observations and semi-structured interviews were used to ascertain the physical context (the house and its surroundings), as well as maternal work/breastfeeding routines and their effect on weaning, the child sleeping with or away from the parents at night, the particulars of toilet training in this environment, the child caretaking network, and questions of child autonomy as part of the larger social pattern. Results suggest that: (1) this is an ecosystem which still operates in an integrated manner, but already shows signs of acculturation; (2) the lack of social support during the severe droughts is contributing to family disintegration; (3) and the child is not expected to develop autonomy and the be capable of self-determined transformation actions, thus reproducing the parents' life conditions. (MT)

The National Council on Disability (NCD) held a National Summit on Disability Policy on April 27-29, 1996 at which 300 grassroots disability leaders gathered to discuss how to achieve independence in the next decade. Following an analysis of disability demographics and disability rights and culture, disability policy is assessed in 11 areas: policy coordination, civil rights, education, employment, social security and other income maintenance, health insurance and health care, long-term services in the community, technology, housing, transportation, and international issues. Recommendations were made in each policy area. The overarching themes of the recommendations were: (1) existing laws should be enforced; (2) people with disabilities should direct policy when they are affected by the outcome; (3) outreach and awareness campaigns must be launched to educate the public; (4) incentives for the inclusion of people with disabilities must be further developed and implemented; (5) principles of universal design should be universally applied; (6) systems, services, and supports for people with disabilities must be further developed as a part of the mainstream of community life; and (7) accurate data about people with disabilities should be regularly collected, analyzed, and reported. Appendices include recommendations for the NCD, a description of emerging issues, and remarks made by Marca Bristo, Chairperson of NCD, and Justin Dart at the national summit. (Contains approximately 80 references.) (CR)

This framework sets forth detailed proposals that are crucial to eliminating the epidemic of childhood lead poisoning in the United States. Private housing units can and must be made lead-safe, and this framework is designed to achieve that goal through specific requirements for property owners, a workable schedule, and mechanisms that reinforce and reward responsible action. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an introduction and an overview of the hazards of lead-based paint. Chapter 3 describes the universe of housing in the United States and the objectives that guided the framework's design. Chapter 4 details requirements for private property owners, which include maintenance practices, deadlines for hazard evaluation and control, and monitoring requirements. Chapter 5 describes how most private housing units can be made lead-safe in response to effective private-sector forces, while chapter 6 emphasizes the importance of state and local enforcement. Chapter 7 calls for insurers, lenders, appraisers, and the judicial system to reinforce action by owners. Chapter 8 presents a summary of the roles and responsibilities of all key players. Two appendixes provide a list of the members of the technical advisory committee and a list of 27 references. (MDM)

This paper analyzes the Bush Administration's budget request for homelessness programs, and argues that it promised little to alleviate the suffering of homeless people. The paper asserts that the proposal is the weakest in years, with overall spending down by 7 percent when adjusted for inflation. Programs hardest hit are new funding to increase the availability of housing affordable to low income and very low income persons. In total, the president requested 1.06 billion dollars for targeted homeless programs. However, funding needed to continue the previous year's programs at current services would be 1.09 billion dollars. The analysis examines federal programs that specifically target homeless persons, including the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and its programs for educational access for homeless children, low income housing programs, homelessness prevention programs, and several other programs for low income persons that benefit homeless persons. Programs in the following sections of the Federal Government are examined: Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Emergency Management Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor, Interagency Council on the Homeless, and Department of Veterans Affairs. This report also contains two tables based on Office of Management and Budget data, one that compares spending in 1992 with proposed figures for 1993, and another that looks at budget authority and budget outlays by agency and department. (Contains 2 references.) (JB)

This guide shows how "Foyers" (safe residences for working/learning youth) and other organizations provide routes back into learning for young people. Chapter 1, "Young People and the Current Learning Agenda," provides a summary of encouraging developments from government, ushering in new learning opportunities for young people. Chapter 2, "Turning Young People Back on to Learning," presents findings from interviews and group discussions to test for differences in attitude between genders and younger people and young adults. These findings show how learning fits into these groups' worlds and focus on their principal interests and concerns; attitudes to learning; motivations to learn; barriers to learning; overcoming barriers; and learning role models. Chapter 3, "The Foyer Movement," describes the Foyer Federation and how Foyers work. Chapter 4, "Learning from Experience," draws seven case studies from selected Foyers and seven from other organizations working with disenchanted young people. These keys to tackling problems are discussed: time and care, learner involvement, overcoming negative experiences, making it fun, motivation, support and staff, positive learning experiences, holistic approach, paying the bills, managing success, and making partnerships work. Case studies of 12 individuals are included, and a brief resume of each project is found at the end of the chapter. Chapter 5, "Joined-Up Learning," lists key learning points and recommends action to address the issue. (YLB)

At the White House Consultation with Rural Women held in June 1980, over 250 women from all walks of rural life and from 12 other nations responded to the Carter Administration's rural policy on small farms, health, employment, communications, education, housing, food, agriculture, and land and energy issues and made recommendations for action for inclusion in the national Small Community and Rural Development Policy. The policy recommendations made by the participants included proposed changes in federal rules, regulations, and legislation and emphasized the importance of women's organizations and other community-based groups. The participants recommended greater government sensitivity to rural needs and, in particular, to the needs of rural women. Recommendations primarily advocated various types of financial assistance, tax incentives, technical assistance, and educational opportunities which federal and state governments should make available to rural residents and rural communities. Recommendations also dealt with federal policies, standards, and services applicable to rural communities. The participants stressed that rural people know what their needs are and that government and industry should respect and encourage their ability to solve problems in their own way. (Author/CM)

This paper examines worldwide housing problems. The rising prices of materials, energy, and land ensure that buying, building, and maintaining even the most elementary shelter today costs several times what it did a decade ago. People in industrial countries must spend an even larger share of their income if they want to buy a home. Those who cannot afford to buy a house are finding a scarcity of rental units. There is mounting despair about shelter conditions in the Third World, as it becomes apparent that most people will never live in homes that reach the standard now found in industrial countries. A number of specific topics are examined. First, the difference between housing needs and housing demand is discussed. The need for housing is primarily a function of population growth. Housing demand is the result of the impact of both population growth and economic variables. The changing housing stock (new units flowing in vs. old units flowing out) is then examined. Resources--type of land house stands on and materials, labor, financing, and energy that go into building a house--are the third topic treated. The fourth topic dealt with is the role land plays in the housing market. Other topics examined are old and new building materials, energy, financing, the home of the future, and housing policies in an era of limits. (Author/RM)

This article describes aspects of the environment for children in Sweden and discusses some of the measures taken or planned for improvement. The significance of the residential environment is explored, and the nature of the child care system in a country where over 80 percent of women with small children work outside the home is described. Also mentioned are existing child safety norms and new norms currently being compiled with a view to further prevention of accidents among children. Finally, an account is given of a study into the "inner environment" of children in Sweden. Findings of this study indicate that Swedish children have problems in their relationships with the adult world. It is concluded that good material conditions are not enough for favorable development and that a good inner environment is a prerequisite for being able to take proper advantage of the external environment. (RH)

The report is twofold in presenting an analysis of current Indian programs in the State of California with recommendations for improvement based on a study of state and federal agencies and a brief history of Indian legislation significant for California Indians. Recommendations proposed were establishing a new Division of Native American Affairs in the Department of Housing and Community Development; adopting a policy statement regarding the State's position on Indian affairs; formulating a legislative program to correct inequities and inconsistencies in federal and state status; developing Indian units within the Departments of Health and Education to perform functions as intended by authorizing legislation; disseminating information to the Indian community regarding programs available locally; adopting a uniform State policy dealing with Public Law 280. Program descriptions include state agencies (health, welfare, housing, community development agriculture, criminal justice, and education), federal programs (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, Housing and Urban Development), and Indian organizations (California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc., Inter-Tribal Council of California, California Tribal Chairmen's Association, and California Indian Education Association). Appendices contain full text of major Indian legislation pertinent to California Indians. (ERB)

An experienced college president offers sometimes tongue-in-cheek advice to new presidents, including insights into relationships with constituencies, interpersonal skills, the role of the spouse, accepting advice, sharing confidences, persistence, choosing priorities for change, audience awareness in public speaking, development, community service, boards of trustees, and failure in leadership. (MSE)

The Supreme Court's decision in "Missouri" underscores the majority's reluctance to find a constitutional or factual connection between segregated schools and segregated neighborhoods that would allow courts to fashion broad remedial decrees. Examines the judiciary's treatment of residential segregation and racial segregation in America's schools. (57 footnotes) (MLF)

The health problems caused by damp housing in Glasgow, Scotland, led to a grass-roots community action campaign that improved living conditions. A second step was preventive health measures and research into other causes of ill health in disadvantaged areas. (SK)

This report describes the current status of families headed by persons under age 30, and compares the economic well-being of the current generation of young families in 1990 with that of young families in the 1970s and 1980s. The report documents falling incomes and growing poverty among young families, factors underlying young families' economic plight, and the consequences of falling incomes and rising poverty. The report found that the inflation-adjusted median incomes of young families with children fell by 32 percent between 1973 and 1990, and that the poverty rate for children in young families doubled in the same time period, from 20 to 40 percent. For the heads of young families with children, inflation-adjusted annual earnings fell by 44 percent between 1973 and 1990. The report recommends: (1) the enactment of a refundable children's tax credit; (2) the creation of a child support assurance system; (3) the creation of a national health plan; and (4) full funding for Project Head Start. An appendix provides information on the data used in the preparation of the report. (MDM)

This discussion of the economic, social, health, and educational crisis facing African-American children is based on 20 years of statistical data and the history of U.S. legislative programs for the benefit of children in this century. It is noted that children in general are not valued in the United States, and that African-American children in particular occupy a low priority on the American public policy agenda. The limitations of the well-intended Great Society programs for children are described, with specific attention given to Head Start (authorized under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964), the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966), and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Discussion then turns to five promises that should be made to children now. Each promise relates to a right that every child should have, namely, the right to: (1) live in a loving family that has access to the support it needs to care properly for its children; (2) receive safe, affordable, high quality child care while his or her parents are at work; (3) be enrolled in a national health care system that afford him/her access to high quality health care and health providers; (4) live in a real home, and not a hotel, shelter, hostel, or half-way house; and (5) experience academic achievement and receive high quality education in a public school. Contains 44 references. (LB)

This eight-part booklet discusses issues relevant to the lives of children in the United States today. Part 1 reports on poverty in America, suggests actions citizens can take to protect children and support families, lists risks facing America's children, and answers common objections to addressing children's issues. Part 2 lists the ranking of the United States among all nations on such measures of children's status as infant mortality rate, poverty rate, mathematical achievement, and educational expenditures. Issues that impact child welfare are examined in Part 3; these include child health, jobs and family income, poverty, the housing crisis, problems of adolescents, and school readiness. Part 4 presents state data for demographic and other factors, such as infant mortality according to race, children's participation in Medicaid, and poverty among children. America's ability to deal with problems affecting children is stressed in Part 5. Part 6 reports the results of polls of Americans' opinions on issues relevant to children. Part 7 poses and answers questions that relate to children's issues, and suggests questions that citizens should ask candidates running for state and federal offices. Part 8 lists steps candidates and officeholders should take to help solve problems related to children. (BC)

Analyzes arguments for strengthening the roles of the federal government, states and localities, and the private sector in funding low-income housing. Recommendations are offered, including targeting funds to enhance the effectiveness of existing monetary support and using community loan funds and pension plan assets as additional resources. (Author/NB)

The trend toward an active consumer role for tenants in British social housing indicates a role for adult educators in training tenants to access and use resources successfully. (SK)

Tomorrow's computerized home will be more than a residence; it will be servant, counselor, and friend to each member of the family. A typical day living in this house of the future is described. (RM)

The paper reflects the Ford Foundation's emphasis since 1980 on long-term problems of refugees and migrants across national borders, and the desire of the Foundation staff to strengthen the long-term capacity of key institutions and communities to cope with population flows. Focus is first on the consequences of migrant flows for sending and receiving countries, for individuals involved, and for agencies called on to provide short- and long-term solutions; and second on current and future grant activity within the Foundation's International Affairs, Human Rights and Social Justice, and Urban Poverty programs. The paper shifts between broad international concerns, those of developing countries, and those of the United States. The growing Hispanization of the United States and pending immigration legislation are noted. Educational concerns mentioned include rights of refugee/migrant children to public education; tendency of recent refugee groups to have decreased levels of education; English as a second language; vocational education; problems of semiliterate and nonliterate refugees; and public education to promote understanding of cultural differences. Tables show 1982 world refugee statistics (total=10,032,400), 1981 ratios of refugees to local population for the top 20 countries, 7-year (1975-81) Indochinese refugee totals, and 1981 contributions to international refugee agencies by the top 20 countries. (MH)

This study is the twentieth in a series of twenty reports completed by the Children's Environments Advisory Service for the International Year of the Child, 1979. The objective of the investigation was to examine the use of incentives to encourage desired housing quality improvements in new housing being built. Findings, conclusions and recommendations related to alternative forms of incentives and further action to be taken to implement a program of incentives are presented. Outcomes of the study are based on a series of consultations with representatives of various sectors of the housing industry as well as with staff of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at its branch, regional and national offices. A list of representatives consulted regarding incentives for housing quality is appended. (Author/RH)

Housing and social conditions in urban America suggest a major shift of the inner city poor to the older suburban neighborhoods. This paper explores that anticipated massive population exchange and suggests ways to measure its effect on the schooling process. The concern here is that thousands of poor city dwellers will relocate to the suburbs and thousands of middle class suburban dwellers will relocate in the inner city. The urban middle class influx is already being encouraged by cities' efforts to acquire Federal mortgage money. This population shift will involve a shift in both class and racial composition that will cause social problems for receiving schools in both community types, the inner city and suburbs. Now is the time to plan for this population shift, not in the middle of the confusion that is certain to come. (Author/EB)

Focusing on the physical well-being and personal environment of the Indian elderly, the conference attracted 3,000 persons from 209 Indian tribes. Its program was organized into: (1) description of existing resources serving elderly Indians; (2) determination of the additional or remedial action required; and (3) identification of methodology for accomplishing remedial action and providing continuous evaluation of services. During the 17 workshop sessions conference participants explored the problems and needs of elderly Indians and made recommendations for action in the areas of health care, mental health, nursing homes and alternatives, housing, and transportation. Among the concerns voiced were the wish to be treated as elders and in the manner that Indian tradition once taught, the desire to remain in Indian communities and cultures, and the need for more Senior Citizens' Centers and nutrition programs that would include native foods. Most of the 21 resolutions adopted called for action by the federal government's Departments of Health, Education and Welfare, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and Transportation. This final report gives the background of the conference, includes its speeches, agenda and activities, lists the recommendations and resolutions, and cites responses to some of them. Five documents in the appendix present information on such topics as the social and psychological states, physical and mental health, and the environment of the Indian elderly. (DS)

The philosophy of Martin Heidegger has major bearing on work in humanistic geography and related environmental fields. Dwelling, according to Heidegger, is the process through which people make their place of existence a home. For all the seeming rightness of Heidegger's view, there is much about dwelling that confounds and alienates many present day social scientists. One work that helps to demonstrate the importance of the notion of dwelling is Hassan Fathy's "Architecture for the Poor" (1969), which portrays the context of dwelling for Egyptian peasants located in an Upper Nile village. According to Fathy, a building will be successful when it incorporates both structural and sociocultural/religious elements of people's lives. Besides encompassing time and environment, Fathy holds, building (as it arises from dwelling) reflects and sustains a people's society and the socioeconomic order that maintains their sense of group purpose and cohesiveness. This depiction seems far from our own world, yet we too strive to dwell and must ask how our world can be made better to foster dwelling and our need to dwell. It is precisely because we have reached such a tremendous level of technology and sophistication that the notion of dwelling becomes crucial. A phenomenological consideration of empirical accounts like Fathy's brings the notion of dwelling into a context which is less complex existentially than Heidegger's and closer to essential needs of environment and individual human beings. (Author/GC)