Students with disabilities: a national survey of participation in school activities

Introduction: The policies of integration and full inclusion in school activities have been enacted to promote the independence and social participation of students with disabilities. This study examined the nature and extent of participation in schools by students with disabilities in the context of the physical, social and psychological features of the school environment. Method: A national survey was completed by 1180 teachers of students with disabilities in the US describing student participation in school activities encompassing involvement in social activities, sports, academic and artistic/creative endeavours. Results/Conclusions: Multivariate analysis revealed that school life in elementary, middle and high school could be defined by six distinct factors describing individual and group roles. Structural equation modelling yielded a second order latent variable that captured the complex and multi-dimensional aspect of participation, accounting for availability, eligibility, student characteristics/status, and student choice within a larger framework of participation.