Public perceptions and attitudes towards disabled people in the UK
A qualitative literature review that explores evidence on public perceptions and attitudes towards disabled people.
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This research was commissioned under the previous government and therefore does not necessarily reflect the policies of the current government. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of the government.
This report explores the evidence on public perceptions and attitudes towards disability including how disabled people experience these perceptions and attitudes, their impact and potential strategies to promote positive change.
It builds on the findings from the systematic evidence review conducted by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds, and Disability Rights UK.
The findings of this qualitative literature review show that:
- society’s attitudes towards disability are mainly negative, often focusing on impairments and limitations – this leads to infantilisation, pity, ridicule and hierarchies of desirability
- disabled people frequently experience stigma, including from family and healthcare professionals resulting in mental health issues, social isolation and challenges in self-identity
- strategies to improve societal attitudes include disability awareness training, positive media representations, trust-building with professionals, empowering disabled individuals to express their identities
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