In order to find out infant’s recognition about a guide dog for the blind and a
wheelchair, we got answers from 258 persons after researching infants who were ín
kindergarten in Ibarakí, Saítama, Aíchí .
It was ascertaÍned that children who knew about a guíde dog was 40% of the total
and the older was the higher rate . When they were asked about something they knew,
children who told that the dog was for the blínd took 30% and who told the function of
a guide dog was 12%. However, there were misunderstanding children like “ physically
handicapped and hearing disabled persons are using a guide dog," “A guide dog leads
the blind to the destination." Also there was only one chíld who told ma nners like “ Do
not touch a guide dog who ís guiding."
Children who knew about a wheelchair we re 90% of the total and the older was the
higher rate. When they were asked about something they knew, even 84% of them told
the persons who were using a wheelchair, there were some misunderstanding children
out of tbem like “ The blind or persons with disabled hands a r e using ít." Also, children
who told the shape of a wheelchair or how to use wer e 11 %.
From this study, even if there were many children who knew about a guide dog or a
wheelchaír, it was proved that there were few chíldren who properly knew about the
role and the function. Also there were almost no chíldren who knew about the points to
considerate for living together with persons who were using a guide dog and a
wheelchair.