Perceptions of mainstreaming: a systems approach.

This paper examines the perceptions of mainstreaming among six young people (mean age, 15.5 years; range 13 to 18 years) with physical disabilities, their parents, and seven teaching staff of one 'designated' school in the United Kingdom. The study used semistructured interviews to allow the participants to talk about their experiences of mainstreaming in their own words. The results were then analysed and formed the basis for a multiperspective case study. The analysis revealed that the processes involved that exclude the child with a physical disability from mainstream school life are highlighted. They appear to be subtle and also specific to individual children and families.