Comparing the quality of life of school-age children with and without disabilities.

Quality of life of 76 school-age children with identified disabilities receiving special education services in public schools was compared to quality of life of 64 students without disabilities enrolled in Grades K-12. The Quality of Student Life Questionnaire (QSLQ) was used. Results indicated that the scores of students with disabilities were lower on all scales. The differences were significant in three of the four quality of life factors of the QSLQ scales: Satisfaction, p <.001, Well-Being, p <.01, Social-Belonging, p <.001, and total QSLQ scores, p <.001. Findings suggest that we have not yet achieved parity in quality of life for children with disabilities. The concept of quality of life is discussed in the context of needs for future intervention.