Effect of Field Training on the Attitude of Students towards Persons with Disabilities in Special Education Centers

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of field training on undergrad students’ attitude towards people with disabilities. This study took place in Amman, Jordan, and consisted of six centers for children with disabilities in Amman, Jordan. This study used a quasi-experimental design. Two groups of students completed a survey. Data from the Attitude toward Disabled Persons (ATDP) were collected on 79 Participants at the beginning and at the end of four months of training. The experimental group received intensive training in special education while the control group did not. Findings revealed that there were significant difference between experimental group and control group regarding their attitude to children with disability; but, there were no significant difference between gender and previous experience and their attitude to people with disability. Based on the findings, it is recommended that undergrad students need to be well prepared to work with children and youth with disabilities to reduce negative attitudes. Educators still need to work on including all children in public schools. This study recommends the method of integrating both children of disabilities and without disabilities in the same classroom or same environments for optimal results. Teaching children with different types of disabilities in the same environment of children without disabilities may aid in changing the negative attitudes given to the children with disabilities. This in turn, gives children with disabilities confidence to communicate, interact, and integrate into society.