LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Negalia; Neįgalieji; Specialieji poreikiai; Specialiųjų poreikių vaikai; Visuomenė; Visuomenės apklausa; Visuomenės opinija; Visuomenės požiūriai; Adults and children with special educational needs; Children with special needs; Disability; Disabled; Lithuania; Opinion poll; Public attitudes; Public opinija; Society; Special needs.
ENThe paper presents data received from surveys conducted among 4,730 inhabitants of Lithuania in 1990 and 700 in 1999. The aim of the surveys was to establish the dependence of the attitudes on the age, education level and profession of the respondents. During the decade positive dynamics of attitudes towards the disabled has been noticed. The 1999 survey has shown that the most positive attitude towards the disabled adults and children with special educational needs has been voiced by persons between 16 and 19 years of age. If in the 1990 survey 58.9% of the respondents approved of the isolation of the disabled (separate special schools and residential districts), in 1999 only 5.5% held the same views. During the decade part of society realized the damage caused by the isolation. Mass media which paid more and more attention to the problems of the disabled has influenced the change of opinion to a certain extent. Legalized integrated education of children with special educational needs in Lithuania has undoubtedly also made a positive impact on the attitudes towards the disabled. [text from author]