National Survey of Public Attitudes to Disability in Ireland, 2017

The National Disability Authority (NDA) commissioned Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A) to conduct a nationally representative survey on public attitudes to disability in Ireland in 2017. The NDA previously conducted national surveys on attitudes to disability in 2001, 2006 and 2011. The survey used quota sampling and was conducted using computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI) during January and February 2017. Data were weighted on gender, age, region, socio-economic status and disability status. Data from 2017 were compared to 2011 and 2006 data and these datasets were also weighted to their respective census year. Multivariate analysis was carried out to determine what factors influenced the key findings. The survey covered a range of topics on attitudes relating to disability. These included awareness of disability and attitudes towards particular types of disability. Survey questions explored attitudes towards children with disabilities in mainstream education, the employment of people with disabilities as well as relationships, neighbourhood, and the social wellbeing of people with and without disabilities. It also compared people with and without disabilities. A total sample of 1294 respondents aged 18 years and older participated in the survey. The sample was comprised of an initial sample of 1,021 respondents, of whom 166 had a disability, and a booster sample of 273 people with disabilities, giving a total of 439 people with a disability and 855 without. The 2017 NDA national survey data suggests that positive attitudes towards every kind of disability including mental health difficulties are increasing when compared to the 2011 findings, which have largely returned to, or exceeded the 2006 findings. Despite the apparent improvement in positive attitudes it is essential to continue increasing employment opportunities, promoting inclusive education and reducing stigma associated with mental illness.