AbstractThree groups of children from grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 were compared to determine acceptance levels of nondisabled young people toward peers with disabilities and the impact of mainstreaming efforts on these attitudes. The three groups consisted of (1) residents of a community with a major rehabilitation program, (2) students from the county center for educational mainstreaming efforts, and (3) a control group that lacked opportunity for special contact. They were compared in terms of their acceptance of hypothetical peers with a behavior disorder, mental retardation, or a physical handicap. Based on previous studies regarding attitudes and contact theory, it was hypothesized that children with behavior disorders would be the least accepted and that participants in the mainstreaming efforts would be more accepting of disabled children than the control group would be. Children with behavior disorders emerged at particularly high risk for rejection; however, mainstreaming was not associated with increased acceptance. Participants in educational mainstreaming were less accepting of disabled children than either the control group or the rehabilitation community. Implications for school social workers are discussed.