1992-10-26 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e FACTS You CAN USE-ATTITUDES The results of the following surveys can be used in publiciz- ing the NDEAM. The results of the latest opinion polls regarding attitudes of the general public and employers are: HARRIS POLL A recent Harris Poll (1991) reports that Americans think putting people With disabilities to work is "good for the economy and good for the country." The Harris Poll-the first nationwide survey of public attitudes about people with disabilities-revealed that: Ninety-two percent of the public polled believe that society will benefit economically if people with disabilities are assimilated into the workforce. Half of those surveyed know someone with a disability. More than half have a friend with a disability. One quarter have someone in their family who has a disability, and one- fifth have a co-worker with a disability. Eighty-two percent see employment of people with disabili- ties as a "boost" to the nation-not as a "threat" to others' jobs. Nine out of 10 people polled think society will benefit by employing people with disabilities who are now receiving welfare payments. . . . . Ninety-three percent support making public transportation accessible to people with disabilities. Only one in 10 of those surveyed feel uncomfortable around people in wheelchairs or people who are blind or deaf. However, 27 percent of people surveyed feel uncomfortable around people who are mentally ill. More than 90 percent of the public say they admire people with disabilities, yet almost half are afraid that what happened to a person with a disability might happen to them. Thirty percent would be concerned if a co-worker had a serious disability, and almost one-half would be uncomfort- able if their child dated a person with a disability. But fewer than one-fifth would be ill at ease if a person with a disabil- ity sat next to them on a bus or served them in a restaurant. . . .