Nonhandicapped students'perceptions of Severely Handicapped Students

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to compare nonhandicapped students’ perceptions of severely handicapped students to their perceptions of nonhandicapped students. Students perceived the characteristics of severely handicapped students as being significantly different than the characteristics of nonhandicapped students, with the severely handicapped being perceived as having fewer positive characteristics. The students also expressed significantly different feelings toward severely handicapped students as compared to their feelings toward nonhandicapped students. Their feelings toward the severely handicapped were less positive and more negative. The results are discussed in light of past research findings related to the attitudes of nonhandicapped toward severely handicapped students.