Teachers of the Deaf as Compared with Other Groups of Teachers: Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities and Inclusion

This study examines and compares the attitudes toward disability and inclusion of three groups of teachers working in different placements. 290 teachers, working in different placements in two large geographical areas participated in the study. The attitudes of these teachers toward people with disabilities were evaluated using the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons original scale. The teachers' attitudes toward inclusion were examined using a Likert-like scale constructed by the authors. Results revealed that attitudes of teachers varied depending on their placement. Teachers of the deaf had a more favorable attitude than the other groups of teachers toward people with disabilities, but their attitude toward integration was the most negative. Attitudes of regular and special education teachers toward school integration can be explained by their attitudes toward disability, but for the teachers of the deaf, attitudes toward school inclusion are not related to attitudes toward people with disabilities.