THE PERSPECTIVES OF PHYSIOTHERAPY AND REHABILITATION STUDENTS ON DISABLED INDIVIDUALS AND THE EDUCATION OF THE DISABLED

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the perspectives of the students of the physiotherapy and rehabilitation department towards the disabled and their attitudes towards the education of the disabled. Sixty-eight volunteer students (50 females, 18 males) studying at Pamukkale University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and taking the Psychosocial Rehabilitation course in the Spring Semester of the 2020-2021 Academic Year participated in the study. The Attitude Toward Disabled Persons Scale (ATDPS) was used to evaluate the positive and negative attitudes of the students towards the disabled individuals, and the Attitude Scale for the Training of Individuals with Disabilities (ASTID) was used to determine their views on the education of the disabled individuals. Evaluations were made at the beginning and end of the relevant semester. The mean age of the students was 19.44±1.07 years. In the first evaluation, the mean of ATDPS was 50.75±13.92 and the total score of ASTID was 51.04±18.42 points. At the last evaluation, the ATDPS score increased to 78.36±13.77 and the ASTID total score to 93.13±7.48 (p=0.0001). Providing students with basic information about various disability groups and their rehabilitation will increase the level of awareness towards people with disabilities. It is important to develop positive attitudes towards the disabled throughout society in order for the disabled to feel themselves as a part of social life and to increase their participation in social life. It will contribute to the increase of the social awareness of the organizations to be organized regarding the education of the disabled and disabled people. Organizations to be held regarding disabled people and the education of the disabled will contribute to the increase of social awareness.