Non-disabled children's ideas about disability and disabled people

This article discusses findings from an Economic and Social Research Council-funded study exploring non-disabled children's ideas about disability. This represents the first in-depth sociological investigation of children's ideas about disabled people as members of wider society. Data are presented from focus group discussions with children aged 6-7 and 10-11. The article draws upon William H. Sewell Jr's theorizing of structure and agency and, in particular, employs his concept of 'cultural schemas'. The article explores non-disabled children's enactment of various cultural schemas relating to disability and argues that although they are capable of questioning, even transforming, schemas, they are primarily engaged in enacting a series of 'hegemonic' schemas that maintain their privileged position as non-disabled people. The article concludes by urging schools and educationalists to do more to encourage non-disabled children to think differently and positively about disabled people.