This study examined differences in attitudes toward and reactions to individuals with comparable disabilities caused by injury or illness. Participants were students and healthcare professionals randomly assigned to read one of eight vignettes constructed in a between-subjects, full-factorial design: 2 (illness/injury)x2 (male/female)x2…

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of two awareness programs (6-day vs. 1-day programs) on children's attitudes toward peers with a visual impairment. Three hundred and forty-four Spanish physical education students (164 girls and 180 boys) aged 10-15 years, took part in the study. A modified version of the Attitudes Toward…

The study aims were to examine (i) adolescents' attitudes towards family members who use a wheelchair in relation to other health problems and conditions, and (ii) the association between perceived wheelchair stigma and socio-demographic factors. Data were based on surveys from 2790 seventh to 12th grade students derived from the 2007 cycle of the…

Dutch students (n=139, ages 12-18) responded to a survey concerning terminology used to describe individuals with mental handicaps, such as "feeble minded,""mentally handicapped,""intellectually handicapped,""persons with mental handicaps," and "persons with intellectual handicaps." No significant…

The construct validity of the General Handicapped Attitude Scale was investigated with 44 spinal cord lesioned patients. Scores on the subscales of acceptance and social consequences did not correlate with scores for severity of handicap but did correlate significantly with scores for personal attitude toward the handicap. (Author/DB)

This study assessed the presentation of disabling conditions in feature films and the general quality of these films (as judged by professional film critics' reviews and movie-goer ratings). Psychiatric disorder was the disability most frequently depicted. Films varied in quality with critics markedly more negative in their reviews than movie…

Comparison of 2 studies of employers' attitudes toward the employability of persons with severe disabilities (one of Fortune 500 corporations and one of New York State employers) found that both groups were favorable toward employability. Executives from large companies and individuals with prior positive experience with the disabled were the most…

Twelve students (ages 10-18) with hearing impairment and 12 normal hearing students were interviewed to determine attitudes about hearing impairment and self-concept. Results showed that school-integrated hearing-impaired students possessed a positive self-perception, but they shared normal hearing students' negative view of hearing-impaired…

A study of 32 Swedish workers without hearing impairments and 34 associates who were deaf investigated their social relations in bicultural work groups. Results found that a majority of both groups felt they understood each other and were understood, but almost all participants reported misunderstanding between the two groups. (CR)

Structured interviews with 40 teachers of deaf primary school pupils in Nigeria and 40 other teachers found the teachers identified the greatest challenge in society's weak acceptance of the legitimacy of deaf education and the greatest prospect was the high achievement motivation of deaf pupils. (Author/DB)

This study compared attitudes toward disability of 148 Arab and 124 Jewish high school students in Israel. Results found a significant effect of cultural affiliation with Jewish youth expressing more positive attitudes than their Arab counterparts. Findings were related to possible differences in psychodynamic processes motivating attitudes in the…

This study examined the effect of parental attitudes and child's age on 60 children's attitudes toward children with physical disabilities. Results showed that children aged 11-12 demonstrated more positive attitudes than children aged 5-6. Mothers' attitudes appeared to have a differential impact on their children's attitudes depending on the…

Forty-six undergraduate social work students at Israel's Bar Ilan University in a course on developmental disabilities responded to a questionnaire. Comparison with college students in Arkansas found that Israeli social work students' attitudes were significantly more positive toward people with developmental disabilities in most areas. (DB)

Attitudes of 184 Arab families in Israel toward their developmentally disabled children were assessed. Questionnaire results indicated that, of the three religious groups represented in the sample (Christian, Muslim, and Druze), the Druze showed the most positive attitudes. Higher levels of education were found to correlate with less positive…

Data on television news reports relating to disability issues were noted prior to and following signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). The greatest coverage took place prior to the signing of the Act (63 stories), with 9, 11, and 8 stories covered for the same time period from 1990 through 1992. (CR)