• On choice (TASH Newsletter, Steven J. Taylor) The concept of “choice” is frequently discussed in the field of developmental disabilities these days. Yet the concept means different things to different people and is used to justify radically disparate visions of the place of people with developmental disabilities in society. This article presents some thoughts on the concept of choice.

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• Taylor, S. J. (1988). “Caught in the continuum: A critical analysis of the principle of the least restrictive environment.” JASH, 13(1), 41-53. This article presents a critical analysis of the principle of the least restrictive environment (LRE). The article begins with a review of the origins of the LRE in professional writings and law and moves next to a discussion of how LRE has been operationalized in terms of a continuum of residential, educational, and vocational services. Building on previous critiques of the continuum concept, the author presents seven conceptual and philosophical flaws or pitfalls in the LRE principle itself, especially when it is applied to people with severe disabilities. The author then argues that an uncritical acceptance of the LRE may lead to the establishment of a “new” community-based continuum and takes the position that many leading writings in the field can be interpreted to legitimate this new continuum. The conclusion of the article supports an unconditional commitment to integration and briefly contrasts integration with LRE as a guiding principle for the design of services and support for people with developmental disabilities and concludes with a note on the importance of viewing concepts in historical context.
• Taylor, S. J. (2001). “The continuum and current controversies in the USA.” Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 26(1), 15-33. This article reviews policy developments in deinstitutionalization and community inclusion in North America, and, specifically the USA. The article starts with a critique of the continuum concept and the associated principle of the least restrictive environment, which have been used as a conceptual framework for the design of services for people with intellectual disability. The author next examines past and current controversies surrounding deinstitutionalization. The conclusion of the article briefly comments on the institution versus community debate and assesses the future of the continuum concept.