The use of picture programs in teaching direct care staff

Direct care staff were taught via picture programs to transfer nonambulatory, severely mentally retarded men between their beds and wheelchairs. Still color photographs illustrated essential details of the complex behavior sequences. Staff transferring performance improved markedly over that shown on a pretest. Study guide questions increased the effectiveness of the programs, perhaps because the questions encouraged accurate observation of the pictures. The procedures may suggest cost effective alternatives to traditional forms of inservice training.