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Are Handicapped Adolescents Interested in Reading Fiction with Handicapped Characters?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Are Handicapped Adolescents Interested in Reading Fiction with Handicapped Characters?
Language: English
Authors: Klemens, Lynne
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 42
Publication Date: 1993
Document Type: Dissertations/Theses - Masters Theses
Descriptors: Adolescents, Behavior Disorders, Bibliotherapy, Disabilities, Hearing Impairments, High School Students, High Schools, Learning Disabilities, Novels, Perceptual Handicaps, Reading Habits, Reading Interests, Reading Research, Student Attitudes
Abstract: A study determined if handicapped adolescents have an interest in reading novels about handicapped teenagers. Many in this population tend to be reluctant readers. Generating interest in reading is important in helping to change that tendency. Reading novels concerning adolescents with handicaps or problems may also be considered a type of therapy for teenagers with school problems of handicaps. To discover the feelings of this population, 192 high school students classified as emotionally disturbed or perceptually impaired, were given a survey/questionnaire. Results were tallied to discover the amount of interest these classified adolescents had in reading about handicapped characters. Results indicated that: (1) the majority of the students did not read novels nor would books with handicapped characters entice these students to read more novels; and (2) some students reflected anger towards the idea of being classified as handicapped and tended to reject the idea of reading about handicapped characters. Six tables of data are included and the survey instrument is attached. (Contains 49 references.) (Author/RS)
Entry Date: 1993
Accession Number: ED355485
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A study determined if handicapped adolescents have an interest in reading novels about handicapped teenagers. Many in this population tend to be reluctant readers. Generating interest in reading is important in helping to change that tendency. Reading novels concerning adolescents with handicaps or problems may also be considered a type of therapy for teenagers with school problems of handicaps. To discover the feelings of this population, 192 high school students classified as emotionally disturbed or perceptually impaired, were given a survey/questionnaire. Results were tallied to discover the amount of interest these classified adolescents had in reading about handicapped characters. Results indicated that: (1) the majority of the students did not read novels nor would books with handicapped characters entice these students to read more novels; and (2) some students reflected anger towards the idea of being classified as handicapped and tended to reject the idea of reading about handicapped characters. Six tables of data are included and the survey instrument is attached. (Contains 49 references.) (Author/RS)