Changing Attitude a paradigm shift in perception: Focus on Disability Studies.

ABSTRACT

Societal attitudes towards persons with disability have changed from time to time. Various factors contribute to these changing attitudes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of consciousness of different types of people towards disability. Study was conducted on a sample of 272 subjects consisting of, academicians 123, rehabilitation professionals-72 and administrator-77 using descriptive method. Disability Consciousness Questionnaire (DCSQ) developed by the author was administered to all subjects. It was revealed that gender, education, religion, occupation, income, nationality have a significant impact on the level of consciousness, but it is limited only to the parent’s perception. However, presence of disabled member in the family did not have any impact on the level of consciousness of the respondents.