Attitudes of the Public in India towards People with Intellectual Disabilities
This research was conducted on behalf of Special Olympics by the Gallup Organization and consisted of face-to-face interviews with 1,011 adults in India. It was designed to judge the public’s exposure to and understanding of people with intellectual disabilities, beliefs about inclusion, and beliefs about the obstacles to inclusion. Survey methodology mirrored that used in the Multinational Survey of Public Attitudes (2003). Click here for more information about the multi-national study.
The results of this survey provide a snapshot as to the attitudes of the public toward people with intellectual disabilities in India, reflecting trends that exist in countries all over the world. The public seems to underestimate the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, including the capabilities to perform simple and more complex daily tasks and compete on sports teams with people with or without intellectual disabilities. With regards to the issue of inclusion, the majority of those surveyed think that people with intellectual disabilities should reside with the family, work in separate workshops and attend special schools.
In addition to presenting findings, the research report also includes recommendations for the Special Olympics Program in India. As Special Olympics expands and grows throughout the communities in India, the report concludes, it has the opportunity to influence the public’s attitudes and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.
Click here to read the full report…