ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The theoretical framework of this research is the general systems approach, which posit that all organizational systems have mutual effects on themselves, and organizational climate theories, which posit that the climate of an organization can affect individuals' attitudes to accessibility and towards students with disabilities. The purpose of the study is to investigate students' attitudes toward the chances of success of students with a range of disabilities in their academic studies in general and in a teaching program specifically, as well as in work in general and specifically in the teaching profession. Participants were 106 students attending a college in Israel, who responded to a questionnaire. Findings showed differences in the estimated chances of success of students with disabilities in contrast to students without disabilities on all the measures tested. Participants expressed a high degree of willingness to assist students with disabilities in the classroom. Accessibility and a supportive organizational climate in the academic institution were moderate, confirming a need to develop a college-wide program to improve accessibility and awareness. (c) 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK