Enhancing community attitude towards children with severe disabilities

Abstract

Although community attitude has been identified as a critical variable in the success or failure of the inclusion of students with disabilities into the regular community (Parmenter, 2001; Yasbeck, McVilly, & Parmenter, 2004), few Australian or international studies have addressed the issue of the attitudes and beliefs of privileged youth to children with severe disabilities. This pilot study begins a 2-year longitudinal study with a prestigious Australian private boys school to increase the social acceptance of children with a severe disability by its Year 10 students through the school community service program. This study will provide an opportunity to investigate attitudes of privileged secondary students to students with severe disabilities.