Evaluating disability awareness programs in schools: a scoping review of longitudinal outcomes and measures

This scoping review examined the measures used, outcomes assessed, and the longitudinal impacts of disability awareness programs. Studies were identified from September 2011 to June 2023 across seven electronic databases. Covidence review software and Microsoft Excel were used to manage data. The data analysis included frequency counts of measures used and categorisation of the types of outcomes assessed. The longitudinal outcomes were synthesised according to the outcomes measured. Seventy-two studies were included from 26 countries, utilising a range of measures to assess cognitive, affective, and behavioural outcomes of programs. A subset of 14 longitudinal studies was identified to explore longer-term outcomes, from 1 to 30-month follow-up. All four longitudinal studies assessing cognitive outcomes demonstrated sustained increases. Ten of 11 studies that assessed changes in attitudes generally found sustained improvements, while only one of five studies found lasting improvements on behaviours. Disability awareness programs can be an effective approach to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and can, to some extent, increase inclusive behaviours of students towards peers with disabilities. Longitudinal studies are essential for understanding whether short-term changes from disability awareness programs are sustained longer-term, yet they are underutilised.Measures should be updated to reflect evolving social and cultural norms surrounding disability.The psychometric properties of measures should be assessed to establish their validity and reliability within the specific study population and context.Incorporating qualitative methods can provide more nuanced understandings of the impacts of disability awareness programs. Longitudinal studies are essential for understanding whether short-term changes from disability awareness programs are sustained longer-term, yet they are underutilised. Measures should be updated to reflect evolving social and cultural norms surrounding disability. The psychometric properties of measures should be assessed to establish their validity and reliability within the specific study population and context. Incorporating qualitative methods can provide more nuanced understandings of the impacts of disability awareness programs.