Schoolkids need lessons in disability

By Cathy Reay

Primary schools need to do more to change the way children think about disabled people, according to new research from the University of Leeds.

The study found that typical misconceptions held by children include disabled people are not able to work, they are unlikely to have a partner or get married, disabilities are passed onto children and disabled people have tragic lives, often cut short by their impairment.

 The research also found that learning materials, particularly children’s books, frequently reinforce those stereotypes.

Researchers talked to groups of children in year two (aged 6-7) and year six (aged 10-11) in six schools as well as sending out questionnaires to 500 primary schools. Quotes from children that answered the questionnaire revealed that some feel disabled people wouldn’t get a boyfriend or girlfriend because “people people think they’re ugly” and one is quoted as saying “disabled people can’t work. They have to go in the house and just sit down. And they can watch TV.”

Dr Angharad Beckett, leader of the study and a lecturer at Leeds University, said:  "We looked at what non-disabled children know about the lives of disabled people, and what primary schools were doing to tackle misconceptions about disability. We found that although some schools are tackling this issue, many schools are doing very little, sometimes nothing."

She added: "As of December 2007 all primary schools in England were supposed to have a Disability Equality Scheme in place that, amongst other things, included the school's plan to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people. Only 30% of the schools surveyed actually had a plan in place that included that dimension".

A Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) spokesman said: "All schools have a duty under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 to promote equality of opportunity between disable people and their peers, eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote positive attitudes towards disabled people.

"This is vital so that schools can challenge any perceived attitudes towards disabled people and receive the support they need to help ensure that all children are able to fulfill their potential. The DCSF are working hard with organisations such as Mencap and the National Aids Trust, as well as National Strategies, to raise awareness further amongst schools of their duties,” he added.
25 August 2009