Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - D4110141
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED341894 AUTHOR: Hansen, Lois M.; Bryant, Barbara J.
TITLE: Attitudes of Persons with Physical Disabilities and
Black Americans toward Counseling Professionals.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1991
NOTE: 66 p.; Tables may not reproduce well due to faint
print.
ABSTRACT: The study of the disabled has amounted to nothing
more than studying physical malfunctioning and compensating
for it. Until very recently, this paradigm has dominated
medical and counseling practices, and many suggest that
this is all there is to disability. This study attempted to
gain insight into prevailing attitudes of both minority
groups to determine if persons with disabilities or black
Americans have similar attitudes toward professional
counselors. In this study black adults (N=25) and disabled
adults (N=22) responded to questionnaires dealing with
their attitudes toward professional counselors. Sixty-four
percent of black adults and 72% of the physically disabled
respondents disagreed with the statement that black
Americans and physically disabled adults do not need
professional counseling. Analysis indicated that comfort
with the race or disability of the counselor was not an
issue. These data support the recognition of persons with
disabilities as a bona fide minority group, supporting the
concept that the minority group model will be an effective
counseling alternative for both groups. Persons with
disabilities and black Americans may not seek professional
counseling because of the perception that the counselor is
just one more authority figure who makes their decisions
and controls their lives. Strategies need to be developed
to integrate America's two largest minority groups into the
mainstream of an effective and productive lifestyle through
empowerment and use of the minority group counseling model.
The survey instrument is appended. (ABL)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Attitudes-; Counselor-Client-Relationship;
Minority-Groups
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Adults-; *Blacks-; *Counselors-;
*Physical Disabilities
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