Attitude towards females with disabilities: the case of wolayitta ethnic group
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Date
2002-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of society towards
females with disabilities in Wolayitta ethnic group. A structured questionnaire
focusing on attitude measuring was administered to a purposefully selected 216
males and 184 females from randomly selected six kebeles in two woredas of
Wolayitta zone. Key informant interview, Focus group discussions and Case
studies were implemented to confirm with findings of quantitative study. Tables,
percentages, mean scores, and chi-square were employed on the analysis of data.
The findings indicated that the community in Wolayitta ethnic group has enough
information and knowledge towards disability and they are aware of types and
causes of disabilities. Even if the community has information and knowledge
towards disabilities, the society has misconceptions, negative perceptions and
attitudes towards females with disabilities.
The results indicated statistically significant agreement differences (at 0.0000
level) between urban and rural dwellers regarding females with disabilities are
useless and unproductive. It could be that urban dwellers have accessibility of
mass-media and other technological development influences and interventions of
some organizations in urban areas to have information and knowledge towards
females with disabilities are productive and valuable. But there were no
isignificance differences between male and female respondents regarding females
with disabilities are useless and productive. The result also indicates that there
were statistically significant disagreement differences among religion subgroups
(at 0.0000 level) in favour of Protestants regarding females with disabilities are
productive and useful. This could be that religion had brought attitudinal changes
towards humanity.
In most cases females with disabilities are isolated, neglected and segregated in
Wolayitta ethnic group. It was concluded that the attitude towards females with
disabilities was negative due to other variables that influence the community
differently. Agitation and public education, intervention of governmental and
non-governmental
organizations
through
community-based
activities
are
recommended and suggested to create awareness and to bring attitudinal changes
towards females with disabilities in Wolayitta ethnic group
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Keywords
disabilities the case of wolayitta ethnic group