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Attitudes Toward Individuals with Disabilities: The Effects of Contact with Different Disability Types

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Abstract

Contact with individuals with disabilities influences positive attitudes toward such individuals. This research investigated if contact with individuals with specific disabilities has an effect on attitudes toward other disabilities. Specifically, this research investigated physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities. While participants reported the most contact with individuals with physical disabilities and the most negative attitudes toward individuals with developmental disabilities, contact with individuals with behavioral disabilities was the best predictor of positive attitudes toward all disability types. This demonstrates that the relation between contact and attitudes is more nuanced than originally thought and can help us better understand disability related bias.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monmouth University, School of Education, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764, USA

    Jason J. Barr

  2. College of Mount Saint Vincent, Department of Psychology, Riverdale, NY, USA

    Kristi Bracchitta

Authors
  1. Jason J. Barr
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  2. Kristi Bracchitta
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Correspondence to Jason J. Barr.

Appendices

Appendix A. Scenarios

You go home for Winter Break and find that there is a new family living next door to you. There is an individual your age that lives there named Sam. One day you notice Sam coming to your door to meet you. You find out that Sam is in a wheelchair. Sam is paralyzed from the waist down and cannot move around without a wheelchair. Based upon this information, please answer the following questions about people like Sam.

You go home for Winter Break and find that there is a new family living next door to you. There is an individual your age that lives there named Devon. One day you notice Devon coming to your door to meet you. You find out that Devon has a cognitive impairment. Devon has a low intelligence level and has trouble communicating, with personal care, and with doing things independently. Based upon this information, please answer the following questions about people like Devon.

You go home for Winter Break and find that there is a new family living next door to you. There is an individual your age that lives there named Joey. One day you notice Joey coming to your door to meet you. You find out that Joey has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Joey does not seem to listen when spoken to, is easily distracted, is often on the go, fidgets with hands and feet, often interrupts and intrudes on others. Based upon this information, please answer the following questions about people like Joey.

Appendix B. Contact Survey

Please place a check next to the response that indicates your answer to each of the following questions. Please answer all questions.

Do you have a relative with a physical disability? Yes________ No _________

If yes, on average how much contact do you have with this individual?

_____Less than once a year

_____One–six times per year

_____Six–twelve times per year

_____Once per month

_____Once per week

_____Two–seven times per week

_____Constant

Do you have a friend with a physical disability? Yes ______ No _______

If yes, on average how much contact do you have with this individual?

_____Less than once a year

_____One–six times per year

_____Six–twelve times per year

_____Once per month

_____Once per week

_____Two–seven times per week

_____Constant

Did you ever have class with an individual with a physical disability? Yes ______ No _______

If yes, on average how much contact do you have with this individual?

_____Less than once a year

_____One–six times per year

_____Six–twelve times per year

_____Once per month

_____Once per week

_____Two–seven times per week

_____Constant

Have you ever participated in an activity with a person with a physical disability? Yes ______ No _______

If yes, on average how much contact do you have with this individual?

_____Less than once a year

_____One–six times per year

_____Six–twelve times per year

_____Once per month

_____Once per week

_____Two–seven times per week

_____Constant

Items were repeated for behavioral disabilities and developmental disabilities.

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Barr, J.J., Bracchitta, K. Attitudes Toward Individuals with Disabilities: The Effects of Contact with Different Disability Types. Curr Psychol 34, 223–238 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-014-9253-2

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