Understanding Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Disabilitiesto Improve Out-of-School Programs

Authors

• Vanessa Spero, University of FloridaFollow
• David C. Diehl, University of FloridaFollow
• John M. Diaz, University of FloridaFollow
• Serap Gorucu, University of FloridaFollow

Abstract

This study explores adolescents’ attitudes and perceptions toward individuals with disabilities in out-of-school time (OST) settings. Gaining insight into these attitudes can help inform future initiatives and interventions to develop programs that foster inclusion and greater participation of people with disabilities in OST programs. This study employed quantitative methods using the Brief Questionnaire for Adolescents on Attitudes Toward Persons with a Disability (CBAD-12A), developed by Álvarez-Delgado et al. (2020), to survey adolescents about their attitudes and perceptions toward individuals with disabilities. The results of the study revealed no statistically significant differences in attitudes toward individuals with disabilities based on whether adolescents reported knowing someone with a disability, their gender, or their age. Yet some findings were promising, such as the high proportion of adolescents who were familiar with someone who has a disability and how adolescents who knew someone with a disability expressed more positive attitudes toward acceptance of disability. The results of this study can provide best practices for supporting inclusive OST programs.

Recommended Citation

Spero, Vanessa; Diehl, David C.; Diaz, John M.; and Gorucu, Serap (2026) "Understanding Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Disabilitiesto Improve Out-of-School Programs," Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 21: Iss. 2, Article 14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34068/jyd.21.02.14
Available at: https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol21/iss2/14