Can children with severe disabilities learn to read or write?
Recent federal legislative efforts have focused on mandates in education that include reading development and achievement for all school age children. These programs include all children: children with and children without disabilities. Literacy opens a critical path to the acquisition of, and access to, many forms of knowledge and experience within our contemporary society. From early school experiences through adult employment, literacy skills are needed to maximize one’s functional participation. Education, self-determination, employment, quality of life, and enjoyment as a fully participating member of society all may hinge on an individual’s ability to read and/or to write. More… Many educational methods and materials may be employed to develop and enhance literacy. Far too often, an emphasis on daily living and/or vocational skills has excluded the incorporation of literacy instruction. In general, research has demonstrated that neither IQ, nor perceptual motor skills predict r
