This study is to explore those variables related to the degree of understanding
of and attitudes to disabilities of middle school students without disabilities. For
the study purpose, we invented the test of understanding disabilities and
administrated it to 487 middle school students. The results were as following:
First, students' understanding of disabilities was different by their background
variables, such as grade, gender, the existence of friends with disabilities, the
experience of education about disabilities in elementary school, the experience of
any inclusive classroom in elementary school, and their social and economic
status. Second, students' understanding of disabilities was influenced by their
self-concepts on academy, morality, popularity from peers, and the perception of
school culture. This study suggested that strong and continued programs,
specially focused on moral education and social relationship with peers with
disabilities, are necessary for improving middle school students' understanding of
disabilities.