Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living Disability Survey Overview of Findings Center for Opinion Research Franklin & Marshall College June 2017

Acknowledgement statement “This project (program, publications, etc.) is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.”

Copyright Statement “Copyright © 2017 LVCIL and the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Permission to reprint, copy and distribute this work is granted provided that it is reproduced as a whole, distributed at no more than actual cost, and displays this copyright notice. Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited.”

Survey Methodology The survey findings presented in this summary are based on the results of 521 interviews conducted May 10 – June 14, 2017. The interviews were conducted at the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College. The sample was created using an addressed based sample. Interviews were conducted with a randomly selected adult from within each household. The sample was obtained from Marketing Systems Group. Survey results were weighted (age, education, gender, and region) using an iterative weighting algorithm to reflect the known distribution of those characteristics. The sample error for this survey is +/- 7.9 percentage points when the design effects of weighting are considered. In addition to sampling error, this poll is also subject to other sources of non-sampling error. Generally speaking, two sources of error concern researchers most. Non-response bias is created when selected participants either choose not to participate in the survey or are unavailable for interviewing. Response errors are the product of the question and answer process. Surveys that rely on self-reported behaviors and attitudes are susceptible to biases related to the way respondents process and respond to survey questions.

Survey Demographics The survey is representative of the adult population of Pennsylvania. This table shows the demographic characteristics of the survey sample. The survey estimates are similar to the state’s known distributions of these demographic characteristics. Age Under 35 28% 35-54 34% 55 or older 38% Education High school or less 46% Some college 24% College degree or higher 30% Marital Status Married Single, never married 29% Not currently married 25% Region of State Philadelphia & SE 31% Northeast 13% Allegheny & SW 19% Northwest 10% Central Work Status Full-time 40% Retired 27% Other 33% Income Under $35,000 38% $35-$75,000 34% Over $75,000 28% Gender Male 47% Female 53% Has a Disability Yes 24% No 76% Race White 86% Nonwhite 14%

The estimated disability status provided by the current survey is similar to the estimated disability status of Pennsylvania and U.S. adults produced by recent surveys by the US Centers for Disease Control. CDC Disability and Health Data Systems 2014 PA Data CDC Disability and Health Data Systems 2014 United States Data LCVIL 2017 Survey Data https://dhds.cdc.gov/profiles/profile?profileId=27&geoTypeId=1&geoIds=42 *Source: Pennsylvania Disability Status Overview; Disability & Health Data Systems dhds.cdc.gov

CDC Disability and Health Data Systems 2014 PA Data The current survey also produces age-specific disability estimates similar to those produced by the Centers for Disease Control. CDC Disability and Health Data Systems 2014 PA Data LCVIL 2017 Survey Data No disability Disability https://dhds.cdc.gov/profiles/profile?profileId=27&geoTypeId=1&geoIds=42 *Source: Pennsylvania Disability Status Overview; Disability & Health Data Systems dhds.cdc.gov

Defining Disability and Personal Experiences with Disability

Personal Experiences with Disability About half of all adults (52%) have no daily contact with a person who has a disability. Nearly one in four (24%) have daily contact with a person who has a disability and one in four have a disability themselves (24%). Personal Experiences with Disability

Disability status differs significantly by demographic groups Disability status differs significantly by demographic groups. The likelihood of having a disability increases with increasing age and declines with increasing education and income. Person with a disability No disability but has daily contact with person with disability No disability but weekly or monthly contact with person with disability No disability and no contact Age* Under 35 10% 23% 43% 25% 35-54 18% 33% 40% 9% 55 and Over 16% 26% Education* High school or less 35% 14% 31% 21% Some college 29% 11% College degree or higher 7% Marital Status* Single, never married 17% 45% 20% Married 30% 38% Not currently married 47% 19% 15% Race* White 24% Non-White Gender* Male Female Income* Under $35,000 $35,000-$75,000 44% Over $75,000 3% 28% 49% *Significantly different at the p = 0.05 level

Attitudes about People with Disabilities

Attitudes about Persons with Disabilities Pennsylvanians have overwhelmingly positive attitudes about the ability of people with disabilities to contribute to their community and be included in society. Attitudes about Persons with Disabilities

Pity, sympathy and related emotions (37%) are the most common feelings respondents have when they see a person with a disability. Please complete the following statement. When I see a person with a disability I feel ….? Sorry for them, pity, sympathy, bad, sad 37% Would like to help 20% Normal, nothing different 12% Empathy 8% Compassion 6% Fortunate 4% Concern 3% Impressed, admire them Grateful, thankful Happy to see them 2% Discomfort Nothing Mixed feelings 1% Other Do not know 5% *Totals exceed 100% because multiple responses were accepted

Three in five (62%) adults believe people with disabilities deserve sympathy and more (66%) believe people with disabilities want to be cured of their disabilities. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements….(% Strongly or Somewhat Agree)

One in three adults believes that people with disabilities have similar needs (33%) and that understanding the needs of one person with a disability helps understand the needs of all persons with disabilities (35%). Do you agree or disagree with the following statements….(% Strongly or Somewhat Agree)

Nearly half (49%) of adults believe that people with disabilities are usually discriminated against and an even higher proportion (78%) believe there is at least some discrimination in jobs, housing, and transportation. Despite these perceived realities, most people (76%) believe there is less discrimination now than there was ten years ago. Do you think people with physical or mental disabilities receive too many special advantages, usually receive fair treatment, or usually are discriminated against? Thinking about jobs, housing, transportation, and access to public places, how much discrimination do you think there is against people with disabilities overall? Do you think there is more or less discrimination against people with disabilities today than there was ten years ago? *Source: Pennsylvania Disability Status Overview; Disability & Health Data Systems dhds.cdc.gov

Why do you think some people treat the disabled differently? Nearly four in five (79%) adults believe that people with disabilities are often stigmatized and treated like outsiders. Respondents believe they are treated this way because of a lack of understanding or knowledge (41%), fear (13%) and ignorance (8%). Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People with disabilities are too often stigmatized and treated like outsiders. Why do you think some people treat the disabled differently? Lack of understanding 28% Fear 13% Lack of knowledge Differences Ignorance 8% Discomfort 7% Rude, unkind 6% Lack empathy 4% Lack compassion 3% Other Do not know 11% *Totals exceed 100% because multiple responses were accepted

A plurality (42%) of adults think more education and awareness will help society become more inclusive for those with disabilities. What can or should be done to help society be more inclusive for those with disabilities? Education, awareness, understanding 42% Treat people equally/fairly 13% Programs – implement, fund 5% Provide more support, help (in general) 4% Jobs, employment, workforce Accessible buildings 3% Support for those with disabilities is already sufficient 2% Funding, money Advocacy, give a voice Transportation – accessibility, services ADA regulations expanded, enforced 1% Housing – accessibility, affordability Other 8% Do not know 18% *Totals exceed 100% because multiple responses were accepted

Comfort with People with Disabilities

Comfort with People with Disabilities Comfort scores were calculated using the responses from five survey questions. Scores range from 0-5, with higher scores indicating greater comfort. Questions and Responses Used to Calculate Comfort Score: Q17 series: ROTATED types of disability randomly assigned to respondents for each question: An intellectual disability A mental illness A physical disability 1 point for answering “Very comfortable” for each question in the series Would you be comfortable or uncomfortable if… Your child brings a friend with [ROTATED DISABILITY] home for a visit? Your child dates a person with [ROTATED DISABILITY]? Your boss is a person with [ROTATED DISABILITY]? A close friend or relative marries a person with [ROTATED DISABILITY]? You work closely with a person with [ROTATED DISABILITY]? Cronbach’s alpha = .755

Pennsylvanians appear to be mostly comfortable with those with disabilities in many circumstances, but the level of comfort depends in large measure on the type of disability and specific circumstance. For instance, people are less comfortable with those with a mental illness in most circumstances, while they are much more comfortable with those with physical disabilities. Percent of respondents who answered “Very comfortable” Average for All Disability Types A Physical Disability An Intellectual Disability A Mental Illness *Scores are significantly different based on type of disabilities at the p = 0.05 level.

Distribution of Comfort Scores for the Total Sample Respondents who have no disability and no daily contact with someone with a disability are less comfortable with those with disabilities. Distribution of Comfort Scores for the Total Sample Score % of Sample 20% 1 13% 2 15% 3 14% 4 5 23% Mean Score 2.6 Scores are significantly different at the p = 0.05 level.

Comfort with people with disabilities declines with age Comfort with people with disabilities declines with age. Those who work fulltime, are between the ages or 35-54 years of age, and have some college are the most comfortable with people with disabilities. Gender Education* Race Work Status* Income Marital Status Age* Region of State *Scores are significantly different at the p = 0.05 level.

Connections / Integration

Most people with disabilities do not feel strongly connected to groups within the disability community or to people and groups not involved with disability issues. How strongly connected are you with people and groups that work on disability issues, services and advocacy? (n=125) How strongly connected are you with people and groups in your local community BESIDES those involved with disabilities issues? (n=125)

A majority (69%) of citizens believes that students with disabilities should be included in regular classrooms. A majority (85%) also believes these students should not have their own proms, but should be encouraged to attend their school’s prom. Do you believe students with disabilities should have their own proms or should students with disabilities be encouraged to go to the proms at their own schools? Now thinking about schools... Do you believe that students with disabilities should be included in regular classrooms, or not?

Conclusions Experiences with Disabilities Half (52%) of adults have no daily contact with someone who has a disability. One in four (24%) respondents reported having a disability. Disability status differs significantly by demographic groups. The likelihood of having a disability increases with increasing age and declines with increasing education and income. Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities Pennsylvanians have overwhelmingly positive attitudes about the ability of people with disabilities to contribute to their community and be included in society. Pennsylvanians express opinions that imply many of them think those with disabilities want to be “fixed.” Pity and sympathy are the most common feelings citizens express when they see someone with a disability and two in three ( 66%) citizens believe that those with disabilities most want to be cured. Nearly half (49%) of adults believe that people with disabilities are usually discriminated against and an even higher proportion (78%) believe there is at least some discrimination in jobs, housing, and transportation. Nearly four in five (79%) adults believe that people with disabilities are often stigmatized and treated like outsiders. Despite these perceived realities, most people (76%) believe there is less discrimination now than there was ten years ago.

Conclusions Cont. Comfort with People with Disabilities Pennsylvanians appear to be mostly comfortable with those with disabilities in many circumstances, but the level of comfort depends in large measure on the type of disability and specific circumstance. For instance, people are less comfortable with those with a mental illness in most circumstances, while they are much more comfortable with those with physical disabilities. Respondents who have no disability and no daily contact with someone with a disability are less comfortable with those with disabilities. Comfort with people with disabilities declines with age. Those who work fulltime, are between the ages or 35-54 years of age, and have some college are the most comfortable with people with disabilities.

For more information… About LVCIL’s Cross Disability Efforts project, this survey or its results please contact Seth Hoderewski at: 610-770-9781 ext. 119 or sethhoderewski@lvcil.org