The report presents findings from needs assessment studies conducted in three community college areas to examine the extent to which 161 severely handicapped adults in seven disability groups (orthopedic, visual, hearing, mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and multiple handicapping conditions) have acquired 22 life centered competencies (daily living skills, personal-social skills, and occupational guidance and preparation). In addition to survey results of the disabled individuals, findings from interviews with their relatives, representatives of agencies serving the disabled, community college faculty and staff, and employers are discussed. Data are anlayzed for each of 10 research questions, including proficiency levels of each disability group for each competency, employment status, differences between disabled persons and their relatives' perceptions of their competencies, barriers to attaining personal and career goals, and attitudes of community college faculty and area employers toward the disabled. Among findings summarized are that persons with multiple handicaps and persons with mental retardation reported less ability to perform the competencies than other groups; 64% stated that they would like to receive further training; relatives' perceptions tended to confirm the self reports of the disabled concerning career development competencies; and attitudes of others were noted as barriers to goal achievement by the disabled and their relatives. (CL)