Attitudes of Blind Persons Toward Physical Education and Recreation

Abstract

Thirty blind adults, ages 16 to 50 years, were interviewed concerning their attitudes toward physical education and recreation in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood and the variables which may have contributed to these feelings. The tape recorded responses to 22 open-ended questions were transcribed and subsequently rated as positive or negative by three judges. Significant z values (p < .05) between positive and negative responses were obtained for 16 of the 22 questions. Attitudes toward school-based experiences were positive whereas attitudes toward neighborhood, community, church, and family experiences were negative. A two-way analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in attitudes by school placement (residential vs. public). Males had significantly more positive attitudes toward physical education and recreation than females.