This document summarizes the proceedings of a workshop dealing with the role of the community colleges in serving people with special needs--minorities, women, the physically handicapped, and the poor. It includes a topical speech by Dr. Reginald Wilson, president of Wayne County Community College, and another on support programs for special needs students, presented by Charles Gordon of Wayne State University. Panel participants' presentations on the following topics are summarized: (1) the basic components of programming and program design diversity for special needs students; (2) the identification of special needs students and the provision of remediation services; (3) the development of a tutorial staff; (4) the use of community resources; (5) approaches for personal and career counseling; (6) strategies for funding special services projects; (7) grant proposal writing; and (8) financial aid resources and packaging. Bibliographies, resource agency lists, and systems designs are included where appropriate. (RT)