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

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