`There are ways of showing what is possible by linking mainstream and special schools," says Michael Shevlin, of TCD. He cites the Fast Friends link programme, which was started in 1989. Two years ago, when it won a major European prize, it involved more than 1,600 students from 19 special schools or day centres and 29 mainstream schools.

The programme continues to grow, in Dublin, Galway, Tipperary and Limerick. "There is no threat to either school and the teachers enjoy working with each other on that kind of level," says Shevlin.

Each week hundreds of students with and without disabilities share timetabled classes in art, drama, music, home economics and physical education. The EC prize was awarded to St Michael's House Research in Stillorgan, Co Dublin, which coordinates the programme.

Students with and without disabilities are brought together in classroom activities. The prize, the Helios 11 Bronze Medal, was awarded for work in developing an inclusive shared curriculum for groups with and without disabilities.

The programme was recognised for its work towards developing "an inclusive shared curriculum for groups with and with disabilities."

At St Michael's House Research, the programme heightens the skills of teachers and other workers through direct involvement of expert facilitors in art, music, dance and drama. It fosters positive attitudes towards young people with a disability among non-disabled peers, through enjoyable social interaction.

An important feature of the programme is its capacity to have a wide impact in mainstream schools, as well as the wider community. Teachers frequently comment on the positive effects of involvement on the whole school.