Thesis Title: An epidemiological study of young children’s awareness of and attitudes toward disability.
Supervisors: Professor Paul Connolly (School of Education) and Dr Dirk Schubotz (School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work).
Personal Statement: I have worked in the field on learning disability since completing an undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology. During this time I witnessed the change from residential care to supported living for individuals’ with a wide range of cognitive, physical and sensory impairments and observed how this new process of respecting individuals’ ability to make their own decisions enhanced their emotional and psychological well-being. This PhD offers me the opportunity to investigate young children’s attitudes towards cognitive, sensory and physical disability and to consider the implications of the findings for teaching about disability and for the development of socially inclusive practices in primary schools.