Addressing Inclusiveness in Tertiary Co-education: Attitude of Undergraduate and Academic Staff Towards Students with Disabilities in a South-West Nigerian University

Abstract

ABSTRACT People living with disabilities constitute a large proportion of Nigeria’s population and there is a need for assessment of attitudes of members of the society towards these people with disabilities. This study was conducted in a Nigerian University using a descriptive cross-sectional study design and 339 undergraduate students and 24 academic staff were proportionally allocated to selected departments of the university. Six out of ten undergraduates (60.77%) and 50% of academic staff had positive attitudes towards students with disabilities. Being female, knowing someone with a disability and positive perception were significant factors associated with having a positive attitude among students. Shorter duration in academia and positive perception of living with disabilities were significant factors associated with having positive attitude towards students with disabilities among staff. A significant proportion of students and staff still have poor attitudes towards students with disabilities, 39.23% and 50.0%, respectively. There is a need for staff sensitisation and introduction of disability studies to the curriculum of undergraduate students to educate them. It is hoped that these measures will improve the attitude of students and academics with negative attitudes and serve as reinforcement for those with positive attitudes.