An investigation of public attitudes towards the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the United Arab Emirates

This study investigates public attitudes towards the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 494 participants from the Sharjah emirate were assessed using the Richa et al. scale on intellectual disabilities comprising the five subscales named accessibility, assistance, autonomy, rights, and self-advocacy. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23. The findings revealed that male participants were found to hold less positive attitudes towards the inclusion of people with ID than females, particularly regarding autonomy and self-advocacy. However, individuals with higher educational levels, employment status, higher income, and those living in urban areas exhibited the highest positive attitudes towards such a population. Age did not appear to have a significant impact on all aspects of attitude. These findings underscore the need for tailored interventions aimed at improving attitudes toward people with ID, particularly among singles, residents of rural areas, unemployed people, and those with low income. Policymakers and government agencies in the United Arab Emirates should use these results to promote greater public inclusion of people with ID in mainstream classrooms, various workplaces, public spaces, and social networks.