Enhancing children's attitudes toward disabled peers using a multi-media intervention

• Published in: Journal of applied developmental psychology 1982-07, Vol.3 (3), p.247-262
• Main Authors: Hazzard, Ann P., Baker, Bruce L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0193-3973; 1873-7900
• DOI: 10.1016/0193-3973(82)90018-1

Interventions are being developed to enhance children's attitudes toward disabled peers and thereby facilitate mainstreaming in schools. This study evaluates the impact of Feeling Free, a multi-media program of disability-related films, activities, discussions, and books. Participants were children from 16 classrooms, grades 3 through 6. Two classes at each grade level (N = 8) were randomly assigned to the six-session program and were compared on five outcome measures to the eight remaining classrooms. Treatment children demonstrated increased knowledge about disabilities, more positive perceptions of disabled persons, and greater awareness of appropriate behavioral responses to disabled peers. There were no long-lasting treatment effects on two measures of children's acknowledged willingness to interact with disabled peers, although treatment girls demonstrated short-term gains on one measure. Suggestions are made for increasing program impact and providing services to other participants in the mainstreaming process.