ATTITUDES OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TOWARDS INCLUSION

Authors

  • Christopoulou Foteini PhD Candidate, Department of Preschool Education, University of Ioannina - Researcher of the Laboratory of Special and Therapeutic Education, Epirus, Greece
  • Sarris Dimitrios 2Associate Professor of Special Education-Developmental Disorders, Department of Preschool Education, University of Ioannina - Director of the Laboratory of Special and Therapeutic Education, Epirus, Greece
  • Papadimitropoulou Panagoula PhD, Science of Education, Teaching Professor in Developmental Psychology, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education, Patras, Greece
  • Penelope Vlotinou PhD, Assistant Professor at University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v9i2.4749

Keywords:

inclusive education, parents’ attitudes

Abstract

The present research focused on investigating the attitudes of parents of children with disabilities regarding their children’s educational inclusion in general education. Also, the effect of certain demographic characteristics of the participants on their attitudes was investigated. 125 parents of children with disabilities attending primary education participated in this research, residing in Western Greece. The collection of research data was carried out using the questionnaire "Attitude Toward Inclusion/Mainstreaming Scale" (Leyser & Kirk, 2004-translated by Kokaridas et al., 2008). The statistical analysis of the data was done using the statistical package SPSS, version 26.0. A statistically significant relationship emerged between the variables parents’ attitudes, gender and parents' educational level. From the results of the research, emerged that the participants showed above-average positive attitudes regarding inclusion and that the mothers of children with disabilities had more positive attitudes towards inclusion, compared to the fathers. It also emerged that participants with a higher educational level were more positive towards the inclusion of their children with disabilities. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to the effective implementation and achievement of the concept of inclusive education.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Christopoulou Foteini, PhD Candidate, Department of Preschool Education, University of Ioannina - Researcher of the Laboratory of Special and Therapeutic Education, Epirus, Greece

    Christopoulou Foteini is a PhD Candidate in Department of Preschool Education of University of Ioannina. She is also a Researcher of the Laboratory of Special and Therapeutic Education in Epirus, Greece.

  • Sarris Dimitrios, 2Associate Professor of Special Education-Developmental Disorders, Department of Preschool Education, University of Ioannina - Director of the Laboratory of Special and Therapeutic Education, Epirus, Greece

    Sarris Dimitrios is an Associate Professor of Special Education-Developmental Disorders in Department of Preschool Education of University of Ioannina. He is the Director of the Laboratory of Special and Therapeutic Education in Epirus, Greece and he is specialized on developmental disorders.

  • Papadimitropoulou Panagoula, PhD, Science of Education, Teaching Professor in Developmental Psychology, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education, Patras, Greece

    Papadimitropoulou Panagoula is a Teaching Professor in Developmental Psychology in School of Pedagogical and Technological Education of Patras, Greece.

  • Penelope Vlotinou, PhD, Assistant Professor at University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

    Vlotinou Penelope is an Assistant Professor at University of West Attica, Athens, Greece. She is working in the research field of neurological rehabilitation. 

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Published

2023-03-28

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Articles

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