This study is the first national survey of attitudes toward people with disability in Australia. Over 2,000 people from across Australia participated in the Community Attitudes Survey in 2018. The survey asked respondents about their individual or personally held attitudes, as well as society or community perceptions about people with disability.

It is the first population-level representative survey, which means that the findings can be applied to the general Australian population.

The survey was developed by people with disability who were employed as co-researchers on the project team; questions thus tap into attitudes that are salient in the lives of people with disability in Australia.

The survey examined personal feelings and behaviours toward people with disability, as well as perceptions of how people with disability are treated by others in the community.

These findings represent a key step in documenting current attitudes towards people with disability in Australia, providing information about where policy efforts might be targeted for greatest effect to track progress towards a more inclusive society.

Citation

Bollier AM, Sutherland G, Krnjacki L, Kasidis V, Katsikis G, Ozge J & Kavanagh AM. (2021). Attitudes Matter: Findings from a national survey of community attitudes toward people with disability in Australia. Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health, The University of Melbourne.

Further information

https://credh.org.au/projects/community-attitudes-towards-people-with-disability/

credh.org.au