Start Date
17-6-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
17-6-2025 10:30 AM
Abstract
Introduction
Disability education (DE) in higher education promotes social inclusion and challenges stereotypes about people with disabilities (PWD). This study aimed to explore how exposure to DE influences college students' attitudes and perceptions toward PWD.
Methodology
131 Undergraduate kinesiology students completed the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (ATDP), Attitudes and Perceptions toward Persons with Disabilities (APPD), and the Multidimensional Attitude Scale Toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS) via Qualtrics. Respondents were categorized into three groups: 1- no exposure (n=97), 2 – at least one course (n=28), 3 – two or more courses (n=8). Multivariate ANOVA was used to analyze differences in attitudes and perceptions (ATDP, APPD, MAS scales) between levels of DE exposure.
Results
Multivariate ANOVA was significant (F=6.79, p=0.002). F-tests were significant for ATPD (F=14.79, p
Conclusion
Results suggest even small amounts of DE exposure improve students’ attitudes and perceptions toward people with disabilities, and greater DE exposure is needed to improve cognitive awareness regarding PWD.
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Allison J. and Marshall, Mallory, "The Effect of Disability Education among College Students' Attitudes and Perceptions of People with Disabilities in Society" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 19.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day2/19
The Effect of Disability Education among College Students' Attitudes and Perceptions of People with Disabilities in Society
Introduction
Disability education (DE) in higher education promotes social inclusion and challenges stereotypes about people with disabilities (PWD). This study aimed to explore how exposure to DE influences college students' attitudes and perceptions toward PWD.
Methodology
131 Undergraduate kinesiology students completed the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (ATDP), Attitudes and Perceptions toward Persons with Disabilities (APPD), and the Multidimensional Attitude Scale Toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS) via Qualtrics. Respondents were categorized into three groups: 1- no exposure (n=97), 2 – at least one course (n=28), 3 – two or more courses (n=8). Multivariate ANOVA was used to analyze differences in attitudes and perceptions (ATDP, APPD, MAS scales) between levels of DE exposure.
Results
Multivariate ANOVA was significant (F=6.79, p=0.002). F-tests were significant for ATPD (F=14.79, p
Conclusion
Results suggest even small amounts of DE exposure improve students’ attitudes and perceptions toward people with disabilities, and greater DE exposure is needed to improve cognitive awareness regarding PWD.