The monograph considers ways in which vocational education can serve students with special needs. An introduction establishes the importance of career/vocational education in the development of handicapped persons, noting the philosophy behind special vocational/career education programs in Missouri. The implications of federal legislation (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the Vocational Education Act of 1963 as amended by the Education Amendments of 1976) and Missouri's House Bill 474 regarding components of vocational programing are noted and compared. Resulting programatic and personnel changes are considered. Among the services described in Missouri's model are career education components (awareness, preparation, exploration, and placement and followup); vocational services (a continuum of services from regular vocational programs to workshop settings); and instructional services (educational assessment, academic placement, instruction, and evaluation). A final section outlines steps for beginning a program based on needs assessment. Federal, national, regional, and state resources are listed in addition to resource materials. (CL)