Nature of Prejudice and Discrimination of People Without Disabilities Towards People with Different Disabilities in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia

Abstract

People with disabilities are prevented from accessing health care, and other services, going to school or learning skills, engaging in work or employment, and participating in family and community life due to the inaccessible environment, as well as traditional beliefs, prejudice and discrimination. The main aim of this study was to examine the nature and difference of prejudice and discrimination towards various types of people with disability by preparatory school (grade 11th and 12th) students. The research method used was survey. Two hundred and ninety-three students without disability, who were drawn using multi stage cluster sampling technique, participated in the study. Data were collected using Feeling & Thinking towards People with Disability Scale and Behavior towards People with Disability Scale. The instruments were administered individually. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one way analysis of variance & repeated measurement of analysis of variance were the specific statistical procedures employed to analyze data. As a major outcome of the study; the nature of prejudice towards all four groups of people with disability layed under the range of medium magnitude. Nature of discrimination towards people with physical and intellectual disability falls under the range of moderate. However, discrimination nature was mild towards people with hearing and visual disability. Therefore, nature of prejudice and discrimination vary between different types of people with disability. Consequently based on the findings of the study recommendation were forwarded.