[Structural change of special education in rural districts (author's transl)]

Using statistical material on the care of handicapped persons administrated at a Special Care Centre, the author demonstrates development of special education service in Carinthia. A considerable increase in the number of persons treated causes more efforts on special education of preschool children. This early training prevents a further increase in special schooling and facilitates the integration of the handicapped in the normal community. Institutions for vocational training are necessary. There is a tendency not only to create more institutions but to specialize their programmes so that their wide variety provides for different therapeutic plans.