STUDENTS ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore and interpret student perceptions and attitudes towards disability, factors underpinning the attitudes, and studentviews on discrimination and legal rights of disabled people. Students describe disability as being physically and mentally different that hinders them to do something. Findings from the review of literature indicated that developing an understanding of theattitudes that predominate in a community, in turns would influence the action of its member. Therefore the way the students view the disabled will influence the student’s action towards the disabled. An explorative, interpretative design wasemployed. The data were collected by means of in-depth interviews with a sample of students studying in one of university in Aceh, and were analyzed using content analysis approach .Thefindings revealed five main themes emerged from the interview; definition of disability, differenttypes of disability, view towards disability, reason behind people behavior and discrimination.This study indicates that the attitude and perception towards people with disability appears to be affected by they previous encounter with people with disability and other factor thatunderpinning they viewed included environment, situation, awareness and experience. Keyword : student, attitudes, perceptions, disability