Research involving almost 800 children aged 6 to 18 found that almost half of children with disabilities did not attend school in their own hometown. More than 40 percent never met classmates outside school, only a quarter attended the same school as a sibling, and more than a quarter spent at least half an hour travelling to school. Almost one third depended on special student transport. The Foundation on the Disabled Child said that about 10,000 children with disabilities currently did not attend school at all and argued that more Together to School classes with tailored support could help.

The account highlighted Turan, 12, from Schagen, whose mother drove him four days a week to special education in Heemskerk; the journey took about 45 minutes when traffic was light. Because of his medical needs, he could hardly meet friends after school, and his mother hoped a nearby Together to School class would be established. By contrast, Yunqi, 13, from Amsterdam, attended school about ten minutes from home. Adaptations including a private toilet, a special chair and educational assistance enabled her to attend mainstream schools and meet friends nearby.