Ten-year changes in attitudes toward different types of handicaps

Abstract

Increased recognition of and concern for the plight of handicapped workers in the Americas makes timely an investigation of possible changes in attitudes toward different types of handicaps. Using data collected in the early i96o’s concerning employer acceptance of handicapped workers as a baseline, a ten-year follow-up study of employer attitudes was conducted. Using the same measurement instrument and sampling procedures involved in the earlier studies, current employer attitudes toward different types of handicaps were compared for possible changes. There were significant improvements in attitudes toward workers with physical or organic types of handicaps (e.g., amputation, mental retardation, epilepsy), and slight but nonsignificant improvements in attitudes toward workers with social or behavioral types of handicaps (e.g., emotional disturbances, delinquency). More employers had knowingly hired handicapped workers in the 1970’s than in the 1960’s. It appears that during the last decade employers have become more accepting of handicapped workers.