ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes of the prospective teachers towards disabled people in terms of their department and gender. “The Attitude Toward Disables Persons Scale” was used as data collection tool in the research. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent samples t-test analysis were used to analyze the data. The results of the t-test revealed that the attitudes towards the special needs individuals of prospective male teachers was significantly different than prospective female teachers (p<0.05). ANOVA test results also revealed that there is a difference between the attitudes of the teacher candidates who were in different teaching programs (p<0.05). Descriptive statistics showed that the attitudes towards special needs individuals were similar to individuals without special needs among the teacher candidates who were educated in the Physical Education and Art Teacher Program. Prospective teachers, in the departments that have more courses to identify specific needs individuals, reported that disabled individuals were considerably different compared to normal individuals. The addition and effective application of theoretical and applied lessons in various teacher education departments may increase the quality of the teaching practice through the development of positive attitudes and understand the differences of the disabilities from the individuals who don’t need special needs.

Key words: Attitude, Preservice teacher, Special needs individuals