THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIELD OF SEVERE DISABILITIES

This paper is a slight adaptation of an invited address that Tom Harin g delivered at the 1992 TASH Convention in San Francisco shortly befor e his death. I have always been overwhelmed with Tom's foresight, so i t is nor surprising that the ideas reflected in this paper have as muc h relevance now as they did three years ago when they were conceived. It is because of their relevance and their potential impact on our fie ld that I had asked Cathy Breen, his wife and close professional colle ague, to work with me on preparing them for publication in JASH. This paper may be Tom's last to be published, but it surely will not be the end of his legacy or influence on those of us who work with and suppo rt people with severe disabilities.