Attitudes Toward Including Students With Intellectual Disabilities at College

Abstract

Although inclusive postsecondary education programs are increasingly available, little is known about the attitudes of matriculating college students toward the inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in their classes. To assess these attitudes, the authors surveyed 256 college students about their attitudes toward students with intellectual disabilities and their inclusion in college classes. Overall, the college students reported positive attitudes. They noted that female students and those with higher comfort levels perceived the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities as higher, thought more benefits were associated with their inclusion, and were more willing to interact with them on campus. The authors concluded that these findings offer evidence of the social acceptability of inclusive postsecondary education programs among the general population of college students and the viability of such programs as an inclusive transition option for students with intellectual disabilities.