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CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES
7-17Views:1354Since the annexation to the European Union, exceptional attention has been directed to equal opportunities and equal treatment of disadvantaged social groups in Hungary too. The Hungarian state tries to ensure the first and foremost with legal tools. It is, however, not enough to result in lasting changes in the attitude of society. Personal experiences, as well as, positive messages transmitted by others can produce a positive effect on the development of inclusive approaches. With respect to sociodemographic characteristics (e.g. gender, age, school qualification) investigations into this field suggest different research results. The questionnaire data collection took place in three districts of Hungary. The research was aimed at questioning two test groups, on one hand, the employees of social institutions who mainly deal with disadvantaged persons, on the other hand, the residents of the given districts, who have the knowledge and approach of an average citizen. The ingenuity of the research is put down to the fact that in Hungary there had never been researching to explore the attitudes of social employees. A total of 747 persons filled in the questionnaires, out of which 408 employees in social institutions and 339 district residents. This present study discloses the deeper connections of the research results which are observable between the two test groups’ attitudes to persons with disabilities and sociodemographic characteristics. Its significance is crucial in identifying the characteristics of the colleague playing an actual role in the integration who, as a reference person, with his own personal involvement can promote the integration of disabled persons into workplace communities. In the research of attitudes three well-distinguished clusters were outlined, which were named as follows: accepting, uncertain/indifferent, rejecting. The study investigates what kind of sociodemographic characteristics the residents, and social workers who belong to the three clusters have. Do people who belong to the same cluster posses similar attributes in both test samples? What kind of attributes has the residents and social workers got who show a higher level of acceptance? According to the findings of the research, the attitudes of the district residents differ in age, school qualification, and personal experience, whereas in the case of the social workers the difference in attitudes depends on age and school qualification.
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ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE SPORT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, I. E.: IS THE SPORT IMPORTANT IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?
19-34Views:522The equal opportunities approach of the second half of the 20th century emphasizes the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities. Education and employment play a key role in achieving integration. Nevertheless, other fields such as leisure time and sporting activities also contribute positively to the social involvement of persons with disabilities. At present nearly 7,000 persons with disabilities are registered in Hungary who pursue sports competitively, of whom approximately 5,000 persons with intellectual disabilities (Regényi et.al, 2017). The study discloses the partial results of a research aimed at revealing the awareness of the Hungarian population regarding the sport of people with disabilities. As such research has never been carried out in Hungary before, it can fill in a niche. The results of our exploratory research may be the starting point for further investigations. The importance of the topic is given by the fact that thanks to the sport the focus is on the outstanding performance of the social group concerned rather than on their limitations and deficiencies, which therefore reinforces the positive and accepting attitude of citizens. Previous research findings have highlighted that the nature of disability-related knowledge influences the way the members of society think about persons with disabilities, i.e. when it is possible to provide information and gain experience focusing on the existing abilities and strengths of the above -mentioned group, attitudes become more positive as well. The findings of the research reveal that respondents consider it important to pursue sport within an integrated framework, at the same time they feel it is justified to do segregated sports with a view to persons with disabilities. Based on the results we can state that the media coverage of achievements in sports competitions of persons with disabilities is perceived as low level, but apparently it is not considered to be a key area in the lives of persons with disabilities.
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THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN EMPLOYMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES
7-19Views:359The role of the family as the arena for primary socialization is significant throughout our lives. The cultural capital, parental role models, and relationship with siblings all have a tremendous impact on academic and non-academic achievement, social networking, intra- and intergenerational embeddedness, and employment during studies. However, a change in family structure can negatively affect a child’s development, decrease his or her academic and non-academic achievement (Engler, 2016), and also causes a higher prevalence of health risk behaviours (Kovács and Nagy, 2017). In addition, due to the lower level of financial capital provided by the family, young people who have grown up in a non-intact family structure are often forced to work during their university or even high school studies to ensure their self-preservation. In our research, we examined the attitudes of the students studying at the University of Debrecen towards family and work in the light of the family structure, covering childhood storytelling experiences (BEST 2020). In addition to demographic issues, changes in family structure, childhood storytelling habits, and work-related attitudes were examined (N=159). 25.6% of the students’ parents are divorced, 24.3% grew up with their mother. 86.5% of the parents read tales in childhood, mostly (75%) every day, typically mothers. No significant difference could have been detected in childhood storytelling experiences based on family structure (p=0.322). Although the ratio of employment is higher among children of divorced parents, a significant difference is found at the beginning of employment. Based on the results, parents try to support university studies at least partly, but they are unlikely able to provide other resources that could force students to work. Based on our results, it can be stated that the role of the family in the early employment of young people is also significant, and the change in the family structure increases the proportion of employment besides university studies, which is mainly due to the family's financial situation.
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CAN THE PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICE OF THE PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS REMOVE THE SOCIAL PREJUDICE TOWARDS THE PUPILS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL
17-24Views:188The aim of the study is to highlight the attitude of the students (N=72) from Pedagogy of Primary and Preschool Education Program (pre-service teacher), from first and third years of study, related to how they want, as future teachers, to develop pupils’ learning skills in the inclusive classroom by adopting certain behavioral management of pupils with special needs. The working tool used is the Behavior and Instructional Management Scale, developed by Martin and Sass (2010). The comparative analysis of the results obtained according to the year of study captures the existence of statistically significant differences in the aspect of the management of the behavior in the classroom, both in traditional and inclusive classes, during the lessons, with higher averages for the pre-service teachers of 3rd year. Also, pre-service teachers from the 3rd year of study have a higher level of expectations for implementing the rules in school activities with pupils with special needs, compared to the pre-service teachers of the 1st year, which draws attention to the importance of pedagogical practical stage in primary school.
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HR TOOLS SUPPORTING EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
7-17Views:202Hungarian statistical surveys, as well as previous research, point out the disadvantages experienced by persons with disability and a reduced work capacity on the labour market, due to which their employment falls behind the employment of the average population. In the background of these drawbacks, there are partially negative attitudes in the society and among employers which are based on prejudices. On the other hand, in the course of the integration and permanent employment of persons with disability and a reduced work capacity not only the accepting attitude of employers but also that of employees is essential. Employment policy instruments may facilitate the economic activity of the disadvantaged labour market groups but they may need their employers to help them further with employment, integration and work. The expected or received help of the open labour market or its degree do not always meet. No empirical research has been done into this topic yet. The aim of my research is to explore the attitude, approach, and knowledge of workers in social institutions in three districts of Hajdú-Bihar county and of the inhabitants in these districts regarding persons with disability and reduced work capacity. Questionnaire research was conducted, and altogether 747 persons (408 workers at social institutes and 339 citizens) were interviewed. The present study focuses on the exploratory-like results of the research which reveal the test groups’ familiarity with and knowledge of the application of those HR management tools that can further the employment of persons with reduced work capacity. The study assesses the results based on the following variables: sex, school qualification, position, previously gained knowledge about the reduced work capacity and work experience with persons with reduced work capacity. The results of the research suggest that for persons with a reduced work capacity the organisations mainly ensure the personalised field of work, preferential working hours, and accessible work environment, but it is not certain to be enough for the permanent employment of the target group as due to their mobility difficulties they would really need support to get to their work as well.
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Preschool teachers’ attitudes and preparation in the implementation of inclusive education
45-62Views:28The implementation of inclusive education depends on teachers’ attitudes towards children with special needs. In 2022, a kindergarten survey was carried out, which included the topic of inclusive education. A total of 918 teachers across Estonia participated in the survey. The study aimed to map preschool teachers’ attitudes towards children with special needs and inclusive education and determine how teachers evaluate their knowledge of implementing inclusive education. Kindergarten teachers tended to favour inclusion: they agreed they could include children with special needs in leisure and learning activities. However, they found difficulties mainly with children with behavioural problems and identified other difficult situations that arise with children with special needs in the mainstream group. Most teachers with a professional education said they had the knowledge and skills to deal with children with special needs. However, teachers without a professional education could not say the same.
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THE REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN’S BOOKS – USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE GUARDIAN ANGEL, SIMI AND THE MESSY LETTERS, AND CSONGOR MIHÁLYI AND THE TIME PLASTICINE
67-82Views:105The present study focuses on contemporary children's books that reflect some form of special educational need. Since recently there has been an increase in the number of books on topic available in the children's book market, with publishing series, issuing the difficult life situations and on the presentation of ’otherness’, including learning disabilities, it is of great importance to take a glance at these publications. In this essay, my aim is to focus on how the texts are written and the language of representation. In particular, I will pay attention to the illustrations, which make a crucial part of the experience of reception and interpretation. With this analysis, my aim is to show how concretely or abstractly a particular educational need can be represented, whether it reinforces stereotypes or not, and how this may impact the connection to the phenomenon. The analysis of the texts also provides an opportunity to validate different attitudes, behaviours, and perspectives, and can thus contribute to sensitisation. The presentation of specific educational needs, with its positive or negative connotations, and the phenomenon of positive discrimination, are closely linked to methodological possibilities and practical implications of interpreting the texts. Here it is worthcalling attention to the concepts of helpful books, sensitisation and prevention, the relationship between these terms and literature, and reflecting on the close connection of the aesthetically shaped texts to these problems. Accordingly, the paper will first aim to explore the concept of special educational needs, then it will present its types to point out the difficulties of definition, the different approaches, and to define its own terminology. Similarly, this paper will take into account the terminology of literary studies and the perspectives relevant to this thesis. This will be followed by the analyses of the three preselected volumes which on the one hand ask whether the books are appropriate for the age group they are aimed at, while, on the other hand, they concern the possible directions for future methodological inquiries. Finally, the conclusion part summerises the results of the study and the controversies surrounding the presentation of the subject in children's books.
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STUDENTS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE USE OF FILM SEQUENCES TO IDENTIFY THE DEVELOPMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
7-17Views:129The current study highlights the attitude of students toward the use of film sequences, as educational resources used in the course of Psychopedagogy of people with intellectual disabilities, in the online learning environment. The participants in the study were students (N = 28) in the 2nd year, who follow the Special Psycho-pedagogy study program. The research method was a questionnaire-based survey. The working tool contains 23 questions, which were developed by the authors for this research. In the introductory part, in addition to the synthesis of the specialized literature, we briefly presented the aspects related to the management of the university course, in a pandemic context, by presenting the ways in which the film sequences were used to achieve the objectives of the discipline. The results of the descriptive study show that students show a positive attitude towards the use of film sequences in teaching, learning, and final assessment activities. Thus, the students consider that the film sequences used in the course activities facilitate the understanding of the theoretical information from the course support, about the particularities in the development of people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the film sequences used for assessing knowledge in the final exam took students out of their comfort zone of passively taking the theoretical information and giving an answer during the online assessment tests. The research findings highlight the practical implications and future directions of research to ensure good management of course activities in the online learning environment.