Parental Reactions and Attitudes toward the Blind Child

Abstract

Third, those cultural patterns prevailing in society which appear in the form of public attitudes and opinions must be taken into account in planning programs for disabled persons. Caseworkers and rehabilitation counselors must continually consider the public relations aspects of their work. Rehabilitation workers are well aware of the difficulties involved in changing the attitudes of employers concerning the hiring of disabled persons. The best planned program will be of no avail if it does not have public support. By way of summary, there are always cultural factors in disability. In some instances these factors may actually transcend in importance the disability itself. An elementary appraisal of American cultural history shows the enormous change in the status of disabled persons which has accompanied technological developments involving both material and behavioral culture. When we see the results of changes in culture, however, we are led to wonder if we are utilizing our knowledge and skills to their fullest extent and we can only guess what the methods and skills of the future will be as expanded research programs contribute to the development of scientific knowledge and theory. Finally, persons working with the disabled must recognize not only their own cultural backgrounds and those of their clients, but they must also be aware of public sentiments toward programs for disabled persons. In addition, the younger the disabled person is the less has culture exerted an influence upon him, and consequently the chances for directing his behavior in desirable ways are greater. Programs for the disabled should, ideally, begin in childhood and preferably in the preschool years. While this is a large order, the writer feels that use of the cultural approach is essential for the most effective treatment of disabled persons.