Illini service dogs- changing perceptions

Evans, Bridget

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/44436 Copy

Description

Title

Illini service dogs- changing perceptions

Author(s)

Evans, Bridget

Issue Date

2013-05-24T22:16:06Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Notaro, Stephen J.

Department of Study

Kinesiology & Community Health

Discipline

Community Health

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• disability awareness
• changing perceptions
• benefits of service dogs
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• disability advocacy
• accessibility issues

Abstract

This was a comprehensive study of the change of perceptions related to the disability culture among undergraduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who are members of the Illini Service Dog Program. The purpose of the study was to determine if participation in the Illini Service Dog Program affected perceptions of participant’s related to disability culture. The four main focuses of this study were disability, awareness, advocacy, and accessibility. A study group of 31 members of the Illini Service Dog Program took part in a pre-test and post-test survey that evaluated their perceptions related to the four main focuses of this study that related to the disability culture. The data consisted of 20 usable pre-test and post-test surveys. The data was analyzed with Paired Samples T-Tests by using SPSS software. It was found that there were statistically significant results regarding changes in perception among areas related to awareness and advocacy. The results for perceptions of disability and accessibility experienced positive improvements. The study showed that participation in an engaging and enriching program, such as the Illini Service Dog Program, could have positive impacts on perceptions of disability, awareness, advocacy, and accessibility.

Graduation Semester

2013-05

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44436

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Bridget Evans

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