The review of special education worldwide is based on questionnaire replies of appropriate ministries in 58 United Nations member states during 1986-87. The first part of the review consists of a summary and analysis of data collected concerning such aspects of special education as policy, legislation, administration and organization, special education provision, training, finance, research, and development. Issues are identified in the areas of legislation, access to education, integration, parental involvement, information exchange, and the language of handicap. National summaries are provided for the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, German Democratic Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rumania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The questionnaire is attached. (DB)