Creating inclusive disability communities

Previous studies indicate a hierarchy of acceptance for people with varying types of disability, where people with mental retardation or a psychiatric disability are less accepted than people with physical disabilities. However, research among people with disabilities assessing how they view others with disabilities is nearly nonexistent. This study explores whether a hierarchy of acceptance of people with disabilities exists among those with disabilities and seeks to describe factors contributing to it. College students with disabilities (n=102) completed questionnaires that included items on social distance, disability identity, and contact with others with disabilities. Findings from this study demonstrated a stable hierarchy of disability among people with disabilities consistent with earlier research. Social distance did not vary by respondent's disability. Contact with others with disabilities was found to be significantly related to social distance. Findings also indicated that being White, having a close friend with a disability, and a father who was college educated increased social acceptance of others with disabilities. This study has several implications for the importance of anti-stigma campaigns in increasing social participation of people with disabilities.