Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults
Published on: December 9, 2014
How do municipality employees in Ankara approach persons with disabilities?
Nuket Paksoy Erbaydar1, Ozge Karadag Caman, Nesrin Cilingiroglu
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
Municipalities have a crucial role in the adaptation of urban spaces, buildings, and public services for full use by persons with disabilities.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes toward persons with disabilities in municipal employees.
Methods:
This descriptive study included 338 municipal employees of a major municipality in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected via a questionnaire and the Attitude towards Persons with Disabilities Scale (ATPDS) (Dokmen, 2000). Descriptive statistics, the t test, ANOVA, and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the data.
Results:
Among the participants, 5.1% had some type of disability, 15.0% had a family member with a disability, and 6.9% cared for a person with a disability. Pity was the most common feeling (30.6%) toward persons with disabilities. Mean ATPDS score was 115.6 ± 15.1 out of 150. The attitudes of the employees with a family member or a friend with a disability, as well as those of the employees that had cared for a person with a disability were more favorable than their counterparts (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The present findings showed that close contact and interaction with persons with disabilities were associated with more positive attitudes. Therefore, promoting positive attitudes among municipal employees and the development of a supportive organizational culture with respect to the rights of persons with disabilities may be useful. Interventions aimed at increasing awareness of and interaction with persons with disabilities may improve the attitudes of municipal employees, and consequently improve the services municipalities provide to persons with disabilities.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...