A follow-up study of physically disabled children, who were educated in different environments, as they approach or after they have reached adulthood

Abstract

This is a follow-up study of a group of young people who were pupils, or former pupils, of a special school for physically handicapped children. They were the subjects of an M. Phil. thesis submitted in 1986. The thirty-two members of the study group used for this research were chosen from the sample, of fifty three, who were the core group of the earlier piece of work, who have since then been educated in a variety of environments, including integrated educational situations. Particular attention is paid to the social consequences of physical disability and factors which seem to ameliorate or exacerbate the resultant impediments. A qualitative approach is used within the framework of a multiple case study format. However, because of the comparatively long time span from which material is available, in the case of many subjects periods of in excess of twenty years, it is possible to utilize a longitudinal perspective throughout most of the work. This is adopted in an effort to arrive at a holistic view of the situation of the young people involved. Their current situation is examined and the apparent effect on their life chances of the diverse settings in which they were educated is noted.