Attitudes toward individuals with disabilities: Results of a recent survey and implications of those results

Attitudes toward individuals with disabilities are often negative and deleterious, resulting in decreased opportunity and chances at successful integration into the community for these individuals. The purpose of the current study was to investigate attitudes of a group of 129 individuals attending a state-wide conference aimed toward improving quality of life of persons with disabilities. Overall, participants’ attitudes were positive toward persons with disabilities. There were statistically significant age and gender related attitudinal differences, with women and younger adults generally voicing more favorable attitudes than men and older adults. Future research needs to sample a diverse population, including persons from a variety of fields as well as persons with disabilities, to examine the range of attitudes that might exist.

Research highlights► We surveyed individuals regarding attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. ► Attitudes were generally positive, except regarding social interactions. ► Women voiced more favorable attitudes than did men. ► Younger adults voiced more favorable attitudes than did older adults.