University students' attitudes and perceptions about individuals with disabilities
Current university students form a cohort of students who have been educated in an environment that includes students with disabilities in grades kindergarten through twelve. This emerging cohort has the potential to be future employers who can influence employment opportunities for individuals with...
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| Format: | Dissertation |
| Language: | English |
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ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
01-01-2001
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| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Current university students form a cohort of students who have been educated in an environment that includes students with disabilities in grades kindergarten through twelve. This emerging cohort has the potential to be future employers who can influence employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. A survey instrument with a Likert scale format was administered to 212 university students enrolled in an introductory level course in order to measure two issues: (1) What level of contact did current university students have with people with disabilities while enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve? and (2) What attitudes and perceptions did this cohort hold towards people with disabilities in the areas of community involvement, employment, education, and future expectations? The respondents in the sample were 64% female, 95% were in the eighteen year old to twenty-two year old age bracket, and the majority came from high schools with a class size under 500. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents reported having students with disabilities in their school. The amount of contact that occurred between the respondents and individuals with disabilities was measured by the number of hours per week that the respondent remembered having contact in various settings. The respondents reported spending slightly greater amounts of time with individuals with disabilities in classroom settings rather than in social settings. Overall, the amount of contact taking place was quite low. Attitudes and perceptions that the respondents hold towards people with disabilities were measured in the areas of community involvement, sharing a workplace, educational experiences, and expectations for the future. Respondents reported a high level of acceptance and openness to including a person with disabilities in community settings and activities. Of the respondents, 92% indicated a willingness to be friends with a person with disabilities. Overall, the respondents reported positive attitudes and perceptions towards people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the amount of contact that this cohort has had with people with disabilities is quite low. The fact that this amount of contact is low, even though a large number of respondents reported having a student with disabilities in their school, indicates that students with disabilities may still be in separate classrooms, programs and social settings. |
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| ISBN: | 9780493235691 0493235698 |