CT Council on Developmental Disabilities

Connecticut residents are firm believers that children with developmental disabilities should attend regular public school classes, according to a new statewide survey conducted by the Center for Survey Research and Analysis (CSRA) at the University of Connecticut for the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. The survey shows that 83% of residents who do not have any friends or family members with a developmental disability would want their child to be educated in the same classroom with children with disabilities. To provide this opportunity, 90% believe that individual teaching assistants should be available for children with disabilities.

Children with Developmental Disabilities Should…

Support
Be educated in regular classrooms 83%
Have individual teaching assistants to enable them to attend regular
public school classes 90%

The survey also revealed that only 24% of residents are aware of the law that allows physical restraints and seclusion to be used on children with disabilities in public schools. After hearing about the law, 89% believe schools should be required to document all uses of physical restraints and seclusion for these children.

“The public sees a need to protect our children and also to provide a high quality education for all of our children, regardless of their abilities," said Nancy Taylor of Canton, Chair of Public Information and Education for the Council. "People clearly see that everyone benefits when children with disabilities are educated alongside their non-disabled peers and they support state intervention to make sure this becomes a reality.”

Career Training

Nearly all state residents believe that individuals with developmental disabilities can be successful members of their communities with proper training and supervision. Ninety-six percent agree that these individuals can learn to work and socialize with others. It is, therefore, not surprising that 99% of residents believe that it is the state’s responsibility to fund programs to help these individuals learn job and career skills. At the same time, 94% of residents feel that private industry should also bear some of this responsibility by making an effort to employ individuals with disabilities.

Residents Believe Both the State and Private Industry Should Support those with Disabilities

Agree
Connecticut should provide people with developmental disabilities
job skills programs 99%
Private companies should make an effort to hire people with
developmental disabilities 94%

Transportation

To enable work and social opportunities, 98% of residents agree that the state of Connecticut should provide transportation services for people with disabilities, and 69% of residents agree that people with developmental disabilities should be able to apply for a driver’s license.

Accessibility

“The results are very encouraging that Connecticut residents seem extremely supportive of inclusion for people with disabilities in all aspects of society,” said Taylor. The survey shows that 99% of residents agree that people with developmental disabilities should have access to public places, 97% agree that there should be access to private spaces, with 90% agreeing that people with disabilities should have access to places of worship. “These results are testimony to the success of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the accomplishments of the disability rights struggle,” said Ms. Taylor. “The Americans with Disabilities Act calls for the most basic freedoms: access to public buildings, the opportunity to live independently, and the chance to work to support one’s self and one’s family” she said.

This survey was conducted by the Center for Survey Research and Analysis (CSRA) at the University of Connecticut, among 501 adult residents of Connecticut from August 22 – September 10, 2007. The data are weighted according to U.S. Census figures for age, race and ethnic background, education, and income in Connecticut, as well as by household selection probability. A random-digit-dial technique was used to select respondent households (sampling both listed and unlisted telephone numbers). Respondents were selected randomly within households. The margin of sampling error for the survey is + 4.4 percentage points.

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities is a federally funded, governor appointed Council comprised of people with developmental disabilities, family members, service providers and state agency representatives whose mission is to promote the full inclusion of all people with disabilities in community life. The Council is charged by federal statute to engage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities on behalf of people with developmental disabilities, their families and their communities.

A copy of the Council on DD/UCONN Center for Survey Research and Analysis report can be downloaded from the Council's website at www.ct.gov/ctcdd