A study assessed the needs of disabled persons living in four rural counties in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Using a combination of forced-choice and in-depth probe questions, researchers surveyed a sample of 456 disabled Americans to identify the problems that these people were facing in their day-to-day living, the consequences of their problems, and the techniques they used to cope with their problems. Visual and emotional problems were the most common health conditions of those interviewed. Although some conditions such as allergies affected all ages, overall, the number of health problems increased with age. Sophisticated assistive rehabilitation devices were almost non-existent; no respondent had a modified vehicle. More than half of the respondents reported total family yearly incomes of $6,000 or less, and the rate of full-time employment among work-age respondents was only 12 percent. Included among the ramifications of disabilities reported were emotional problems, difficulties with home and yard maintenance, and limited mobility both within and outside the home. Few respondents sought or received professional help with their problems. Furthermore, many respondents, especially minorities, were unaware of the service programs that are available to disabled workers. Based on these findings, researchers called for additional efforts to increase service utilization rates and to provide emotional support for disabled individuals and their families. (MN)