EFFECTS OF INFORMATION ON ELEMENTARY BAND STUDENTS ATTITUDES TOWARD INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The purpose of this study was to assess elementary music students' att itudes toward individuals with disabilities and compare potential meth ods of altering these attitudes. An adapted Disability Factor Scale wa s initially administered to four elementary school bands who would be attending the same junior high where an individual with a hearing impa irment was to be mainstreamed. Prior to the second administration, eac h school participated in a different preparation: (a) normal rehearsal , (b) videotape of individuals with disabilities participating in musi c activities, (c) videotape with disability label provided, and (d) vi deotape, label, and attribution of successful music participation. Exa mination showed a 1.00 point difference between highest and lowest rat ed disabilities on a 6-point scale. Females demonstrated a more positi ve attitude than males for 6 of the disabilities. Rank ordering indica ted similarities between genders with visual scars most accepted and v isual impairments, amputation, and epilepsy least accepted. Results of the second administration showed no differences among schools. Of the 10 disabilities addressed on the questionnaire, four were portrayed o n the videotape. Scores for students who viewed the videotape showed n o difference between means for statements referring to disabilities th at were viewed versus those not viewed.