Len Barton has pioneered the sociological study of education in the areas of disability studies and inclusive education. This paper addresses an argument developed by Len Barton that social exclusion, of which disablism is one element, (1) has many compounding forms of differing exclusions, (2) is not a natural but a socially constructed process,…

Examined the nature of the questions elementary aged children (N=81) asked about a classmate with disabilities. Results indicated that older children asked more questions, however, all children asked disability related questions. Younger children were more concrete, whereas older children were more abstract. Prompts yielded greater numbers of…

This article focuses on the stigma that results from childhood illnesses and disabilities. Roots of stigmatization and the impact of physically observable differences on young people are discussed. Recommends therapeutic approaches for helping children respond more sensitively to peers with disabilities and to assist youngsters affected by medical…

Borrowing from epidemiological and economic analysis, we argue that the central constructs by which children are judged educationally rest in contrastive judgements and that such judgements are based on "everyday" constructs--not objective descriptors. But because these everyday constructs become seemingly objectified by the procedures and…

This article reviews current research on pupils' perceptions of others' difficulties in learning. It focuses on children's perceptions about other people; children as "na ve biologists" attempting to explain growth and development in others; and children's responses to and use of cues based on achievement and ideas about ability.…

This booklet discusses how to recruit and manage volunteers with disabilities. Generic as well as specific strategies are provided for engaging individuals with disabilities, including members of diverse cultures. Potential barriers and suggestions for working around those barriers are also explored. The first section addresses recruitment and…

A study of 25 British students (ages 11-12) found that children with identified special needs did appear to be potentially at risk of being bullied through their social isolation. The most effective way of avoiding being bullied was to ensure there was someone lower down the pecking order than themselves. (CR)

A study investigated the grounding strategies used by four Hispanic families with children with disabilities who are experiencing successful friendships with peers without a disability. Results found families, particularly mothers, actively facilitated friendships most frequently by finding opportunities and providing some level of interpretation…