Creation and validation of the Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Disability in Higher Education (QAD-HE) in Latin America

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study presents a tool developed in Spanish to measure teachers’ and students’ attitudes towards physical and sensory disability in the context of higher education in Latin America. The effects on attitudes towards contact with people with disabilities, and training on that topic, were also studied. The research involved 718 participants (563 students and 155 teachers). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed a bifactorial structure, with the 27 items grouped into two dimensions: egalitarian attitudes and prejudiced attitudes. Internal consistency was excellent (α > .90). The Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Disability in Higher Education (QAD-HE) shows appropriate psychometric properties and can be applied in various Spanish-speaking countries due to the language and culture adaptation process carried out. The results demonstrated that teachers with previous contact with and knowledge about disabilities had positive attitudes towards students.