ABSTRACT
Many children and young people who have disabilities and/or special educational needs experience significant difficulties in developing autonomy in learning and independence in their social lives within schools. This chapter will provide an overview of and an insight into the critical factors that can constrain the academic and social development of these young people. Drawing upon recent research the chapter will present the voices of these young people as they reflect on and attempt to address these limiting factors that inhibit their full participation within school life. The young people will address a whole spectrum of access issues including physical, social and curricular that can have a profound effect on their capacity to participate. This chapter will further consider how schools have and can develop structures that promote awareness and positive expectations for these young people to enable them to become active participants in their own learning.
