Intended for vocational education teachers, the booklet is designed to provide helpful information to assist teachers in better understanding special needs students in Pinellas County, Florida. Chapter 1 provides definitions, general information on methods of dealing with several categories of handicapping conditions, including mental retardation (mild, moderate, severe, and profound), specific learning disability, hearing impairment, speech and language impairment, visual impairment, multiple disability, emotional handicap, and physical impairment. Chapters 2-6 briefly cover assistance from the Department of Education for Exceptional Students, organization of the Department, educational legislation for the handicapped, and an exceptional student information form. Chapter 7 considers the attitudes of educators and peers toward the handicapped, and offers suggestions for improving attitudes. Chapter 8 outlines guidelines for implementing a student tutor system. A ninth chapter describes characteristics and remedial techniques relating to academically and economically disadvantaged students. The final seven chapters contain information on characteristics and common needs of special needs students, guidelines for the vocational teacher, helpful hints and tips for teachers, modification of instructional materials, highly successful methods of instruction, problem characteristics of special needs students, and a bibliography. (SW)