This investigation explored the use of Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) by non-readers with learning disabilities and non-readers with mild mental retardation. A total of 43 middle and high school special education teachers were instructed in the administration of the SDS to both readers and non-readers with learning disabilities and mild mental retardation (n = 337) . Results show that, for both readers and non-readers in this study, the SDS was reliable, able to validly measure preferences, and sensitive to preferences with respect to disability group membership. Hence, the SDS appears to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring vocational preferences of non-readers with learning disabilities or mild mental retardation and may be used for the subsequent planning of pre-vocational and vocational training for these individuals.
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