The literature review describes the ideal of "a school for all" which integrates children with and without disabilities from a European perspective. Topics covered include a historical review of discrimination against the disabled, the establishment of private special schools, the increasing role of public educational authorities in providing special educational services in European nations, special problems of preschool education, the transition of young disabled people into open employment, referral, and various service delivery systems. Danish national statistics indicated that 13.1% of students received special education assistance in 1981-82, 2.4% of whom were in special classes. A full 81% of handicapped students received less than 5 hours weekly of special instruction. The paper stresses the importance of the attitudes of society, the need for proper training of regular class teachers, the availability of consultant support, placement in special classes for some children, and the need for special services such as psychological counseling and itinerant teachers. Seven tables of statistical data are appended. (DB)