Don’t forget about us: attitudes towards the inclusion of refugee children with(out) disabilities

Edvina Bešić, Lisa Paleczek, Barbara Gasteiger-Klicpera

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Intersectionality recognises that individuals can simultaneously be members of multiple disadvantaged groups, which creates a system of disadvantage. To analyse these systems of disadvantages, it is necessary to look at the intersection of different categories. This paper examines the intersectionality of disability, refugee status and gender. It analyses whether general public’s attitudes towards inclusion differ depending on disability type (physical disability vs. behavioural disorders), refugee status (Austrian vs. refugee child) and gender, and how these attributes interact to influence attitudes. The attitudes of 2307 Austrians were assessed. Respondents read a short description of one student and answered questions addressing the possibility of including him/her in mainstream primary schools. The results showed that the public’s attitudes depend on students’ attributes, emphasising their intersection. Respondents showed more positive attitudes towards the inclusion of Austrian students, students with a physical disability and girls (regardless of refugee status and disability type) into mainstream primary schools. It was discovered that the intersection of disability type and refugee status affects the general public’s attitudes towards the inclusion of (refugee) boys and girls differently. The results demonstrate that focusing on only one category of difference does not allow seeing the complexity of how multiple discriminations interact with each other.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)202-217
Number of pages16
JournalInternational Journal of Inclusive Education
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 503034 Inclusive education
  • 504021 Migration research

Keywords

  • Attitudes towards inclusion
  • disability
  • gender
  • intersectionality
  • mainstream school
  • refugee

Cite this