Virginia school superintendents were surveyed concerning their attitudes toward educating severely and profoundly handicapped students in regular neighborhood schools and regular education. Positive attitudes toward integration existed among approximately half of the 122 superintendents, whereas 15.5 percent held negative attitudes and 34 percent…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that examined how special education services were being provided in four elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District in the 1997-98 school year: Brentwood, Dawson, Pillow, and Zavala. The study's intention was to determine how much, if any, inclusion of students with disabilities in…

This paper discusses the outcomes of a study that compared the attitudes of 245 parents of preschoolers with and without disabilities and 121 preschool service providers. It was designed to assess global attitudes toward inclusion, benefits and concerns regarding inclusion for children with disabilities, the impact of inclusion on children without…

Attitudinal change toward children with handicaps by 44 nonhandicapped students was measured after engaging in activities that simulate physical handicaps. Results from the Personal Attribute Inventory for Children confirm Donaldson's negative impression of simulations and did not confirm the positive change in attitudes others observed.…

Studied the differential effect of two experimental treatments, experiential and informational, in modifying attitudes toward disabled persons and the continuing effect of the attitude change over a six-week period. Results indicated the two educational strategies positively modified participant attitudes. (RC)

Effects of selected reading materials on third graders' acceptance of peers who had handicaps as specified by P.L. 94-142, and were receiving special services, were investigated. Results showed that attitudes were better toward the nonhandicapped on both pre- and posttests, and that bibliotherapy had little effect on attitudes. (Author/GK)

A survey of 69 people investigated their response to individuals with deaf-blindness holding cards soliciting aid for crossing the street. Results found travelers should stand at the curb facing the street, hold the card up at the shoulder, and the card should first state the desire to cross the street. (CR)

This article reports the results of a survey of 150 Ontario (Canada) university students who were education majors. The survey investigated their attitudes towards the inclusion of children with disabilities into general education classes. The respondents had favorable attitudes toward inclusion but did not perceive themselves as being…

Interviews with 46 nondisabled children (ages 3 to 6) in inclusive programs found that most children were aware of physical disability, half the children were aware of sensory disabilities, but no children expressed an awareness of Down syndrome. Children were most sensitive to effects of a physical disability on a child's motor performance. (DB)

A study assessed the attitudes of 52 general early childhood teachers serving young children with disabilities in inclusive early childhood settings. Findings indicated teachers' comfort levels decreased as the severity of the child's disability increased and were lowest when the child had severe disabilities in leg functioning, muscle tone, and…

A study of 43 children with mental retardation working with peers on a cooperative task found that different factors influence peer acceptance and rejection. Acceptance was influenced by overall quantity of a child's interactions and peer perceptions of positive behavior; rejection was influenced by positive behavior of the target child and peer…

Data on television news reports relating to disability issues were noted prior to and following signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). The greatest coverage took place prior to the signing of the Act (63 stories), with 9, 11, and 8 stories covered for the same time period from 1990 through 1992. (CR)

Presents a survey designed to investigate how upper elementary to high school children with hearing impairments or deafness feel about themselves, about other people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and about the world around them. The survey can be used to help families and educators identify areas of concern. (CR)