Adult’s Attitudes Towards Disability in the Greek Community

Abstract

Social environment consists of a vital place where all human beings can run their lives and participate in a multidimensional way in the daily activities of life. In that environment, people express their thoughts, feelings and behavior, developing in order to communicate and share their lives with the others. All these expressions consist attitudes that influence the way they co-exist with everyone in the society. Each member of the society possesses unique abilities and special needs and contribute in an important grade in the promotion of social living. Studying attitudes of individuals towards disability is useful as a key factor in integrating these individuals into society. The present study involved 150 people who completed the Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities (ATDP-Form B) scale. The results showed that overall a moderately positive attitude towards people with disabilities develops, without any differences between the groups in terms of gender, year of birth, educational level, contact with a friend or relative with a disability. Interpretations of the results are commented based on existing research.

Attitudes of Greek General Education Teachers Concerning Inclusion Policy

“…Many countries around the world are committed to providing education to all children without discrimination by signing conventions on the rights of the child and the rights of persons with disabilities (Hassanein, Adawi, & Johnson, 2021). Besides, the participation of all individuals, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses, is an inalienable right of human existence (Polyzopoulou & Tsakiridou, 2022). The term "inclusive education" is used to describe the more specific integration of students and young people with disabilities and/or special educational needs, a term also known as a provision of additional needs support, special educational needs and disabilities, learning difficulties, or special needs within the general education classroom (Ewing, Monsen, & Kielblock, 2018).…”