Research on the social inclusion of children with disabilities in Montenegro

Nobody’s UnpredictableAvgust 2010.
Research on the social inclusion of children with
disabilities in Montenegro
FOR:

2Inclusion of children with disabilities
©2009Ipsos
METHODOLOGY
Way of collecting data, field surveys done in the household respondents, “face to
face“
Source of data based on a representative sample of the population of Montenegro of
18 years and over
The sample size was 1014 respondents
Type a three-stage stratified sample, random sample, the stages:
 The territory of the polling station (about 200 households) chosen with probability
proportional to size - PPS
 Household, selected randomly from the given address steps (simulation SPSWoR
sample schemes)
 Elected member of the household using Kish tables (SPSWoR sample simulation
schemes)
Stratification is based on:
 Types of settlements - urban / rural
 The four geo-economic regions
 Post stratification based on: gender, age, type of settlement and four geo-
economic regions
Field control in 12% of the sample, control logic and control consistence in 100%
Data collection took place from 05 August 13th August 2010th

©2009Ipsos
The structure of the sample
Base: N=1014
48%
52%
26%
19% 19%
21%
15%
26%
46%
20%
8%
30%
17%
32%
21%
62%
38%
Male
Female
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
Primaryandlower
Secondary
Higherandhigh
Educationinthe
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Urban
Rural
Gender Age Education Region Type

©2009Ipsos
AWARENESS ABOUT CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES

©2009Ipsos
The free association of children with
disabilities
Base: Total target population
35%
10%
9%
6%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
Sadness, pity, poor children
They need help, someone else's
care, helpless
Accidents, evil fate, nausea, pain
Disease, sick children
Society must be more to help, pay
attention
Children with absence, disorder
Disabled children
They do not have a normal life,
hard life
Understanding, solidarity, humanity
Incapable of normal growth and
development
First
answer
40%
12%
12%
6%
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
They need help, someone else's
care, helpless
attention
Understanding, solidarity, humanity
Children with absence, disorder
They do not have a normal life, hard
life
Disabled children
Incapable of normal growth and
development
All answers
• The first association which citizens have when children with disabilities are mentioned is compassion (35%).
•Among all spontaneously mentioned associations compassion is also dominant (40%), and it is followed by
adversity, ill fate, anguish, suffering (12%) and helplessness (12%).
•Other associations also follow similar emotional tone – children with disabilities are associated with illness, being
disturbed, abnormality, vulnerability. A number of associations are directed towards recognition of need for help,
showing of understanding and solidarity.

©2009Ipsos
The free association of children with
disabilities, depending on the information
40%
44%
28%
12%
13%
9%
11%
11%
19%
6%
8%
4%
3%
6%
8%
3%
3%
2%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%
8%
I do not know nothing
or little
They know
something
They know a lot or
very much
They need help, alien care,
helpless
attention
The difficult situation for the family,
parents
Threatened, in trouble
Someone you know (child, cousin
...)
It is interesting that people who know a lot about this category of children in significantly less association with
the compassion, and significantly increased their need for assistance.

©2009Ipsos
Terms which are referred to as children with
disabilities
23%
17%
12%
10%
7%
6%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
7%
Disabled children
Children with disabilities
Children with special needs in the development
of
Children, as well as other children, does not
distinguish
Retarded children / backward in the development
of
Mentally retarded children
Children who need help
Defective children
Other answers
• Most frequently used expression in general population for such children is handicapped children (23%).
o Expressions which are also widely used in population are the ones which belong to outdated terminology –
children with special needs (17%) and children with disablement (12%).
o It is worth mentioning that one out of ten citizens uses the term sick children, and another 6% use
characterization poor, sorrowful, great pity.

©2009Ipsos
Damage and the difficulty in recognizing that
children with disabilities
Multiple answers; Base: Total target population
26%
24%
14%
14%
13%
11%
8%
7%
7%
7%
7%
7%
6%
6%
6%
Physical appearance
Speaking (difficult, unintelligible ...)
Moving (problems, aggravated by walking ...)
Disability
Behavior
Blind child
Immobility, paralysis
Deaf child
Hearing
Visual impairment
Mental / psychological deficiency
Mental retardation
Gestures, movements
Deformation of the body, bodily injury
The lack of a body
•Characteristics according to which children with disabilities are
most frequently recognized are physical appearance or physical
handicap (40%). Frequently mentioned indicators are also difficult or
unintelligible speech (24%) or problems with mobility (14%).
•Physical appearance is more relevant for persons who have
children, as well as the citizens with the lowest income and
those from rural settlements.

©2009Ipsos
Damage and the difficulty in recognizing that
Multiple answers; Base: Total target population
26%
14%
14%
8%
6%
6%
5%
3%
11%
7%
7%
7%
4%
13%
7%
7%
5%
5%
4%
3%
2%
6%
3%
2%
24%
3%
2%
7%
Physical appearance
Moving (problems, aggravated by walking ...)
Disability
Immobility, paralysis
Deformation of the body, bodily injury
The lack of a body
Wheelchair / orthopedic devices
Handicap / disability
Blind child
Deaf child
Hearing
Visual impairment
Deaf-mute child
Behavior
Mental / psychological deficiency
Mental retardation
Mental disorder / illness
Children with special needs in the development of
Autism
Down's syndrome
Aggressiveness
Gestures, movements
Glance, the eyes
Face / the face / mime / face
Speaking (difficult, unintelligible ...)
Mute child
Difficult communications
Do not know / No answer
Speech and Communication
Mime, gestures, movements
Intellectual deficits and mental disorders
Sensory deficits
The physical appearance and
movement problems
37%*
82%*
46%*
12%*
29%*
* The percentage of people who spontaneously mentioned
some of the responses within the categories of derivative

©2009Ipsos
7%
8%
11%
11%
11%
11%
12%
17%
17%
22%
21%
21%
25%
28%
27%
34%
32%
41%
47%
88%
86%
79%
78%
75%
74%
72%
69%
62%
61%
60%
58%
55%
49%
47%
44%
41%
32%
25%
Children who lack some part of the body
Children with permanent damage or deformation of a body part
Blind children
Deaf children
Children injured intelligence
Autistic children
Psychotic children
Extremely aggressive children
Children with severe disorders of attention
Children with speech disorders
Children with serious emotional difficulties
Children with severe damaged? Trials hearing
Children affected by AIDS virus (AIDS)
Children who suffer from leukemia
Children who suffer from hepatitis
Hyperactive children, ie. children who are overly active in situations where they should
be (for example, during the teaching)
Children with severe damaged? Trials of vision (glasses larger than / - 10)
Children with congenital heart defects
Children who suffer from asthma
does not belong (1+2) belongs (4+5)
In your opinion, to what extent does each of the following
groups of children belong to category of children with
disabilities?

©2009Ipsos
disabilities?
74 72
62 61 60 58 55
49 47 44 41
32
25
7 8 11 11 11 11 12 17 17 22 21 21 25 28 27
34 32
41
47
79
88 86
78 75
6981 79
68 67 64 63 59
52
45
40 40 38
30
21 20
10 9
-9
-22
Childrenwholacksomepartofthe
body
Childrenwithpermanentdamageor
deformationofabodypart
Blindchildren
Deafchildren
Childreninjuredintelligence
Autisticchildren
Psychoticchildren
Extremelyaggressivechildren
Childrenwithseveredisordersof
attention
Childrenwithspeechdisorders
Childrenwithseriousemotional
teškošama
Childrenwithseverehearingdisability
ChildrenaffectedbyAIDSvirus(AIDS)
Childrenwhosufferfromleukemia
Childrenwhosufferfromhepatitis
Hyperactivechildren,ie.childrenwho
areoverlyactiveinsituationswhere
theyshouldbe(forexample,duringthe
Childrenwithseverevisionoštešenjima
(dioptergreaterthan/-10)
Childrenwithcongenitalheartdefects
Childrenwhosufferfromasthma
belongs (4+5) does not belong (1+2) balance

©2009Ipsos
disabilities?
The average values ; Base: Total target population
4,5
4,3
4,2
4,2
4,1
4,1
4,0
3,9
3,7
3,7
3,6
3,5
3,5
3,4
3,3
3,2
3,1
2,9
2,7
Children who lack some part of the body
Children with persistent oštešenjima or deformation of a body part
Blind children
Deaf children
Autistic children
Children injured intelligence
Psychotic children
Extremely aggressive children
Children with severe disorders of attention
Children with speech disorders
Children with serious emotional difficulties
Children with severe hearing disability
Children affected by AIDS virus (AIDS)
Children who suffer from leukemia
Children who suffer from hepatitis
Hyperactive children, ie. children who are overly active in situations
where they should be (for example, during the teaching)
Children with severe vision impairments (diopter greater than / - 10)
ater than / - 10)
Children who suffer from asthma
• Children that are identified to the
highest extent as children with
disabilities (average grade 4 and more
on a 5 point scale) are: children without
some part of the body, or children with
severe deformations, then children with
sensory disorders (blind of deaf
children), as well as the children with
mental difficulties (autistic, children with
impaired intelligence and psychotic
children).
• Children that are identified to the
smallest extent as children with
disabilities are those who suffer from
asthma (2.7), children with congenital
heart defect (2.9), as well as the
children with children with severe vision
impairments (3.1).
• Observed in general, degree of
identification of any mentioned
category as children with disabilities
is higher among the citizens who
do not have direct experience with
such children, in eastern part of the
country and in rural areas.

©2009Ipsos
Yes
68%
No
32%
Do you know any child with disabilities, or someone
whose child has problems of this kind ?
• Great majority of the citizens (68%) know some child with disabilities or parent of child with such or similar disabilities.
•Citizens from western part of the country, as well as those with the lowest income, have somewhat more positive
experience with children with disability compared with the average.
•As it was expected, personal experience and level of being informed are in positive correlation: citizens who do not
have personal experience with children with disabilities are less informed about them and vice verse.
54%
76%
90%
46%
24%
10%
I do not know
nothing or little
They know
something
They know a lot
or very much
Yes
No
Depending on the information on children with disabilities:

©2009Ipsos
How often do you have contacts with children with
disabilities?
13%
5%
4%
11%
8%
10%
11%
11%
14%
10%
4%
Daily
Several times a week
Once a week
Several times a month
Once a month
Once in 2-3 months
Once in 6 months
Once a year
Less than once a year
I do not have any contact with
Refuses to answer
• Majority of the citizens (86%) had or have contact with children with disabilities. Majority of them realize such contact
once a month or les frequently, while a total of 13% of the citizens have everyday contact with children with disabilities.
•One out of ten citizens state that they have no contact whatsoever with children with disabilities.
•Citizens with the lowest level of education, those with the lowest income, as well as those from eastern part of the
country have everyday contact with children with disabilities.
20%
11%
12%
18%
12%
14%
8%
10%
10%
12%
21%
Primary and lower
Secondary
Higher and high
Do 100€
101 - 200€
More than 200€
Refuses to answer
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Everyday links:
EducationIncome
Region

©2009Ipsos
What is your source of information about children
with disabilities?
Multiple answer; Base: Total target population
61%
47%
28%
12%
12%
4%
2%
2%
1%
From media (TV, newspapers,
radio, Internet)
Through the stories I hear from
friends, relatives, acquaintances
Through daily experience in the
street, in shops, public transport
and the like.
From local health center and
hospitals
Through the stories from school,
which I hear from my children
Experience with own child who
has similar problems and
interference
I do not have any information
about children with disabilities
Other
Refuses to answer
•Dominant source of information about children with
disabilities are media (61%). However, significant
percentage of the citizens are informed by other people
(47%), or through experience in the street, public
transport, shops (28%).
•4% of the citizens claim that their source of information
about this issue is personal experience with the child who
has similar difficulties.
•As expected, personal experience is a more
important source of information for citizens who know
some child with disabilities, while those who do not
have such experience rely on media to a higher
extent.

©2009Ipsos
All things considered, how well are you informed
about the children with disabilities?
7%
38%
44%
43%
12%
9%
3%
I do not know anything about
I know very little about children
with disabilities
Sum -
I know something about children
with disabilities
Sum +
I know a lot about children with
disabilities
I know very much about children
with disabilities
•It can be concluded that citizens are generally insufficiently informed about children with disabilities – they themselves
rate their knowledge with average grade 2.6 on a five point scale.
•Just slightly more than one out of ten citizens state that they know a lot about these children, while the rest are evenly
distributed to those who claim that they know nothing, or very little (44%) and those who state that they know something
(43%).
•Female citizens are somewhat more informed about children with disabilities, as well as highly educated citizens and
citizens who have personal experience with these children.
48%
41%
49%
45%
37%
35%
64%
10%
14%
7%
12%
19%
16%
4%
Male
Female
Primary and
lower
Secondary
Higher and
high
Yes
No
Sum -
Sum +
GenderEducationKnow
DSR
M=2.6
Higher and high

©2009Ipsos
10%
8%
32%
17%
12%
13%
27%
10%
16%
27%
14%
17%
19%
26%
3%
9%
6%
9%
3%
7%
37%
17%
22%
41%
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Region
Up to 3% 3.1-5%
5.1-10% 10.1-20%
More then 20% Do not know/Refuse
In your opinion, among children aged up to 18 years,
what percentage are the children with disabilities
M=11.3%
M=12.5%
M=5.7%
18%
16%
18%
13%
6%
30%
Up to 3%
3.1-5%
5.1-10%
10.1-20%
More then
20%
Do not
know/Refuse M=10.1%
• Majority of the citizens (40%) think that in population of children up to 18 years less than 10% are children with
disabilities. 12% mention this percentage (which is considered as the best estimation for each population). 19% think that
this percentage is higher. Almost one third of the citizens do not have a clear perception of number of children with
disabilities.
•Provide the most accurate assessment of residents of the eastern regions, while this percentage is largely
underestimated those from the west.

©2009Ipsos
ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES

©2009Ipsos
I will now read you some of the existing
categories of children with disabilities
N
Helivesinthesame
settlement/streetwith
yourchild
Goestothesameschool
/kindergarten/nursery
schoolwithyourchild?
Goestothesame
department/groupwith
yourchild
Socializes/playswith
yourchild
Bestfriendwithyour
child
Intheolderagein
emotionalrelationship
withyourchild
Intheadultagemarries
withyourchild
Refusestoanswer
Child with severe defect of vision 1014 75.7 56.6 51.2 48.1 34.7 08.8 07.1 02.2
Blind child 1014 77.8 48.6 43.9 40.9 29.2 03.0 01.6 04.1
Child with severe hearing impairments 1014 73.3 55.1 47.1 45.2 30.0 05.8 04.0 03.5
Deaf child 1014 75.0 45.6 39.9 38.9 25.8 02.8 01.7 05.8
Child with physical disabilities, such as permanent
deformation, or lack of a body part
1014 79.1 42.7 34.9 33.1 23.3 02.5 01.3 05.8
Child has difficulties to move or are completely
bedridden
1014 75.5 42.6 35.3 34.3 24.6 02.0 00.9 05.6
Child suffers from some chronic disease which is not
communicable, such as asthma, heart defect,
hemophilia, leukemia and other
1014 73.1 48.8 41.2 35.7 27.7 03.1 02.0 03.4
Child suffers from some chronic diseases that is
communicable, such as AIDS, hepatitis and other
1014 70.3 21.3 12.9 11.9 07.8 00.3 00.1 19.6
Intellectual deficiencies and impairments, such as low
intelligence, autism, serious attention disorders,
persistent difficulties in learning, and the like
1014 73.4 36.6 27.6 22.7 13.9 01.1 00.7 08.1
Child with severe emotional disorders, such as
childhood neurosis, psychosis, emotional changes
caused by neurological damage
1014 67.9 29.1 19.0 13.0 08.3 00.7 00.1 15.9
Child with severe disorders of socialization, such as
hyperactive, aggressive or other socially unacceptable
behavior
1014 71.1 30.3 20.2 14.8 09.3 01.5 00.3 11.1
Child with speech disorders 1014 74.8 48.9 40.9 38.6 28.2 05.4 05.1 02.2
•Observed in general, citizens of Montenegro express a big social distance towards children with disabilities. On the average,
total degree of social closeness towards this group is 34.5%, but it is not the same towards all categories of children with
disabilities.
•Social distance is even more pronounced among citizens who are less informed about children with disabilities, and among
those who do not know such children. Bigger social distance is expressed by citizens with the lowest education, those with the
lowest income, and citizens from coastal and eastern regions.
•Citizens who are the best informed about children with disabilities and who have personal experience with such children
express smaller social distance towards these children. The same holds true for highly educated citizens, citizens from the
capital and western part of the country, as well as the oldest citizens (above 65 years of age).

©2009Ipsos
Social distance towards different categories of
DSR - acceptance
56,6
34,7
8,8
7,1
29,2
3,0
45,2
30
5,8
4
46
39
26
2
33,1
2,5
1,3
27,7
3,1
70,3
21,3
12,9
11,9
0,1
36,6
27,6
22,7
13,9
0,7
67,9
29,1
19
13
8,3
71,1
30,3
20,2
14,8
9,3
28,2
5,4
75,7
48,1
51,2
48,6
77,8
1,6
40,9
43,9
73,3
55,1
47,1
75
3
40
42,7
79,1
23,3
34,9
42,6
75,5
2
0,9
24,6
34,335,3
73,1
48,8
2
35,7
41,2
0,3
7,8
1,1
73,4
0,10,7 0,3
1,5
48,9
5,1
38,6
40,9
74,8
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
1 - He lives in the
same settlement /
street with your child
2 - Goes to the same
school / kindergarten /
nursery school with
your child?
department / group
with your child
4 - Socializes / plays
with your child
5 - Best friend with
your child
6 - In the older age in
emotional
relationship with your
child
7 - In the adult age
marries with your
child
Child with severe defect of vision
Blind child
Child with severe hearing impairments
Deaf child
Child with physical disabilities, such as permanent deformation,
or lack of a body part
Dijete koje se otežano kreću ili su sasvim nepokretna
Dijete koje boluje od hroničnih oboljenja koja se ne prenose, kao
što su astma, srčane mane, hemofilija, leukemija i druga
Dijete koje boluje od hroničnih bolesti koje se prenose, kao što su
SIDA, Hepatitis i druga
Intelektualni nedostaci i oštećenja, kao što su niska inteligencija,
autizam, teži poremećaji pažnje, trajne poteškoće u učenju i sl.
Dijete sa težim emocionalnim poremećajima, kao što su dječje
neuroze, psihoze, emocionalne promjene nastale neurološkim
oštećenjima
Dijete sa težim poremećajima socijalizacije, kao što su
hiperaktivno, agresivno ili neko drugo socijalno neprihvatljivo
ponašanje
Dijete sa poremećajima govora

©2009Ipsos
DSR - refuse
51,9
65,3
91,2
70,8
97,0
54,8
70
94,2
96
74,2
66,9
97,5
98,7
72,3
96,9
29,7
78,7
87,1 88,1
72,4
77,3
86,1
99,3
70,9
81
87
91,7
69,7
79,8
85,2
90,7
71,8
94,6
24,3
43,4
48,8
92,9
22,2
51,4
56,1 59,1
98,4
26,7
44,9
52,9
60,1
25,0
54,4
61,1
97,2
98,3
65,1
20,9
57,3
76,7
24,5
57,4
64,7 65,7
75,4
98 99,1
26,9
51,2
58,8
64,3
98
99,7
92,2
99,9
26,6
63,4
98,9
32,1
99,3 99,9
28,9
98,5 99,7
25,2
59,1
51,1
61,4
94,9
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
1 - He lives in the
same settlement /
street with your child
school / kindergarten /
nursery school with
your child?
department / group
with your child
4 - Socializes / plays
with your child
5 - Best friend with
your child
6 - In the older age in
emotional
relationship with your
child
7 - In the adult age
marries with your
child
Blind child
Deaf child
Child has difficulties to move or are completely bedridden
communicable, such as asthma, heart defect, hemophilia,
leukemia and other
Intelektualni nedostaci i oštećenja
Dete sa težim emocionalnim poremećajima

©2009Ipsos
DSR - acceptance
75,7 77,8
73,3 75,0
79,1
75,5 73,1
70,3
73,4
67,9
71,1
74,8
56,6
48,6
55,1
45,6
42,7 42,6
48,8
21,3
36,6
29,1 30,3
48,951,2
43,9
47,1
39,9
34,9 35,3
41,2
12,9
27,6
19 20,2
40,9
45,2
38,9
33,1 34,3 35,7
11,9
22,7
13,0 14,8
38,6
34,7
29,2 30
25,8 23,3 24,6
27,7
7,8
13,9
8,3 9,3
28,2
8,8
5,8 3,1 5,47,1
4
1,3 0,9 2
5,1
48,1
40,9
3 2,8 2,5 2 0,3 1,1 0,7 1,51,6 1,7 0,1 0,7 0,1 0,30
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
Childwithseveredefectofvision
Blindchild
Childwithseverehearingimpairments
Deafchild
Childwithphysicaldisabilities,suchas
permanentdeformation,orlackofabody
part
Childhasdifficultiestomoveorare
completelybedridden
Childsuffersfromsomechronicdisease
whichisnotcommunicable,suchas
asthma,heartdefect,hemophilia,leukemia
andother
Childsuffersfromsomechronicdiseases
thatiscommunicable,suchasAIDS,
hepatitisandother
Intellectualdeficienciesandimpairments,
suchaslowintelligence,autism,serious
attentiondisorders,persistentdifficultiesin
learning,andthelike.
Childwithsevereemotionaldisorders,such
aschildhoodneurosis,psychosis,emotional
changescausedbyneurologicaldamage
Childwithseveredisordersofsocialization,
suchashyperactive,aggressiveorother
sociallyunacceptablebehavior
Childwithspeechdisorders
1 - He lives in the same settlement / street with your child
2 - Goes to the same school / kindergarten / nursery school with your child?
3 - Goes to the same department / group with your child
4 - Socializes / plays with your child
5 - Best friend with your child
6 - In the older age in emotional relationship with your child
7 - In the adult age marries with your child

©2009Ipsos
DSR - refuse
24,3 22,2
26,7 25,0
20,9
24,5 26,9 29,7 26,6
32,1 28,9
25,2
43,4
51,4
44,9
54,4 57,3 57,4
51,2
78,7
63,4
70,9 69,7
51,1
60,1
65,1 64,7
58,8
72,4
81 79,8
59,1
51,9
59,1
54,8
61,1
66,9 65,7 64,3
88,1
77,3
87,0
61,4
65,3
70,8 70
74,2 76,7 75,4 72,3
92,2
86,1
91,7
71,8
91,2
97 94,2 97,2 96,9 98,9 99,3 98,5
94,692,9
96 98,7 99,1 98
87,1
52,956,1
48,8
85,2
90,7
99,79897,5 94,9
99,799,999,399,998,398,4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
105
Childwithseveredefectofvision
Blindchild
Childwithseverehearingimpairments
Deafchild
Childwithphysicaldisabilities,suchas
permanentdeformation,orlackofabody
part
Childhasdifficultiestomoveorare
completelybedridden
Childsuffersfromsomechronicdisease
whichisnotcommunicable,suchas
asthma,heartdefect,hemophilia,leukemia
andother
Childsuffersfromsomechronicdiseases
thatiscommunicable,suchasAIDS,
hepatitisandother
Intellectualdeficienciesandimpairments,
suchaslowintelligence,autism,serious
attentiondisorders,persistentdifficultiesin
learning,andthelike.
Childwithsevereemotionaldisorders,such
aschildhoodneurosis,psychosis,emotional
changescausedbyneurologicaldamage
Childwithseveredisordersofsocialization,
suchashyperactive,aggressiveorother
sociallyunacceptablebehavior
Childwithspeechdisorders
1 - He lives in the same settlement / street with your child
2 - Goes to the same school / kindergarten / nursery school with your child?
3 - Goes to the same department / group with your child
4 - Socializes / plays with your child
5 - Best friend with your child
6 - In the older age in emotional relationship with your child
7 - In the adult age marries with your child

©2009Ipsos
Social closeness to different categories of
2,9
2,8
2,7
2,6
2,6
2,6
2,5
2,5
2,3
2,1
2,0
1,9
Child with speech disorders
Blind child
Deaf child
communicable, such as asthma, heart defect,
Child has difficulties to move or are completely
bedridden
Intellectual deficiencies and impairments, such as low
intelligence, autism, serious attention disorders,
Child with severe disorders of socialization, such as
hyperactive, aggressive or other socially unacceptable
Child with severe emotional disorders, such as
childhood neurosis, psychosis, emotional changes
•Social distance towards different groups of children
with disabilities differs depending on type of disability.
•Citizens have the biggest social distance
towards children who suffer from transmittable
chronic diseases (AIDS, hepatitis etc.), then towards
children with severe emotional disorders (neuroses,
psychoses, etc) as well as towards the children with
severe disorder of socialization (socially
unacceptable behavior).
•On the other hand, the citizens have the smallest
social distance towards children with severe vision
and hearing disabilities, as well as children with
speech disorders.
•When we observe individual relationships, for
majority of the citizens (72% on the average) it is
acceptable that child with disability lives in the same
street with their child. However, the next degree of
closeness is significantly less acceptable – only 42%
accept that such child goes to the same school as their
child, and somewhat above 2/3 find it unacceptable that
such child goes to the same class with their child.
• Just one out of five citizens wouldn't mind the
child with disabilities to be the best friend of their
child, while just between 2% and 3% would accept
current or future emotional relationship between such
child and their child.

©2009Ipsos
The relationship of society towards children
with disabilities
4%
11%
17%
47%
92%
74%
65%
36%
The state and society should do
everything in their power to
ensure equal opportunities and
chances for children with
disabilities, regardless of the
costs.
Children with disabilities are
equally valuable members of
society, as well as all other
citizens.
Regardless of the pain and the
effort that they and their families
make, children with disabilities
can not be fully fit in society, the
way in which other children do.
The state and society are not
able to significantly help children
with disabilities, no matter how
much they try and how much
money they invest.
disagrees (1+2) agrees (4+5)
• Majority of the citizens (74%) think that children with disabilities are equally valuable members of society as all other citizens.
•However, we shouldn't neglect the fact that one out of ten citizens has the opposite attitude (particularly in light of the clear
social undesirability of this answer).
•Great majority of the citizens (92%) think that The state and society should do everything in their power to ensure equal
opportunities and chances for children with disabilities.
•However, citizens believe to a significantly smaller extent that such help from state and society can help (47%). Going in the
same lines is also the fact that, as much as 65% of the citizens think that, regardless of the pain and the effort that they and their
families make, children with disabilities can not be fully fit in society, the way in which other children do.

©2009Ipsos
Which of the following two statements is closer
to your views?
•Majority of the citizens (71%) think that society and the environment in which the child lives should primarily be adapted to
the child with disabilities, accepting all their specificities, while 28% think the opposite –that the child should be adapted to
environment.
•Belief that the child with disabilities must adapt to environment is more pronounced among the citizens who do not have
personal experience with children with disabilities, as well as among citizens from rural areas and eastern parts of the
country.
•Citizens who are well informed about children with disabilities think in lesser percentage that these children should adapt
to environment.
Refuses to answ er
1%
Society and the
environment in
w hich the child
lives should
primarily be
adapted to the child
w ith disabilities,
accepting all their
specificities
71%
Child w ith
disabilities should
primarily be
adapted to life in
society, w ith the
help of family and
the environment
28%
24%
44%
17%
35%
23%
34%
24%
35%
32%
26%
15%
74%
56%
83%
63%
75%
65%
75%
65%
67%
73%
84%
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Urban
Rural
Yes
No
I do not know nothing or little
They know something
They know a lot or very much
Child with disabilities should primarily be adapted to life in society,
with the help of family and the environment
Society and the environment in which the child lives should primarily
be adapted to the child with disabilities, accepting all their specificities
RegionTypeKnow
DSR
Information

©2009Ipsos
To what extent is it possible that a child with
disabilities join the crowd?
15%
80%
5%
1%
By providing professional assistance and through
special relation of society and institutions, it is
possible to FULLY enable a child with disabilities
for life in society
By providing professional assistance and through
special relation of society and institutions, it is
possible to SOMEWHAT enable a child with
disabilities for life in society
Regardless of professional assistance and special
relationship of state and society, it is not possible
TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS in
enabling the children with disabilities for life in
society.
Refuses to answer
•80% of the citizens think that By providing professional assistance and through special relation of society and
institutions, it is possible to SOMEWHAT enable a child with disabilities for life in society. Namely, the citizens are just
moderately optimistic about the possibility of inclusion of these children. Just 15% think that complete inclusion is possible.
•5% think that regardless of professional assistance and special relationship of state and society, it is not possible
TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS in enabling the children with disabilities for life in society.

©2009Ipsos
To what extent is it possible that a child with
disabilities join the crowd?
20
15
10
15
12
13
17
11
22
16
13
13
14
24
75
78
87
81
79
79
78
87
72
80
79
82
81
70
4
6
2
3
9
8
5
1
4
3
7
5
4
5
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Yes
No
I do not know anything
They know something
Know much
FULLY SOMEWHAT TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANTGender
RegionKnow
DSR
Information
•Citizens who know a lot about these children are also more optimistic regarding the possibility of
inclusion, while those who do not have personal experience with them are more skeptical.
•In addition to this, more optimistic in their conviction are the young (18 - 29 y.o), citizens with the lowest
income, those from rural areas and east of the country.

©2009Ipsos
Using the following pairs of attributes, try to
describe the TYPICAL CHILD in Montenegro
9%
6%
8%
9%
7%
10%
11%
13%
26%
23%
81%
78%
78%
76%
76%
73%
71%
70%
61%
56%
1 - Insecure / 7 - Self-confident
1 - Sad / 7 - Cheerful
1 - Estranged from other children / 7 - Open to other children
1 - Fearful / 7 - Brave
1 - Weak character / 7 - Strong character
1 - Pessimistic / 7 - Optimistic
1 - Deprived of his/her rights / 7 - Equal
1 - Equal opportunities as other children / 7 - Unequal possibilities
1 - Depending on others / 7 - Independent
1 - Uncertain future / 7 - Safe future
Sum (1+2+3) Sum (5+6+7)

©2009Ipsos
Using the following pairs of attributes, try to describe THE
TYPICAL CHILD WITH DISABILITIES in Montenegro
56%
51%
53%
65%
66%
70%
75%
85%
74%
84%
24%
22%
21%
16%
15%
14%
8%
6%
6%
5%
1 - Estranged from other children / 7 - Open to other children
1 - Equal opportunities as other children / 7 - Unequal possibilities
1 - Uncertain future / 7 - Safe future
Suma (1+2+3) Suma (5+6+7)

©2009Ipsos
Comparison of a typical child and a child with
special needs in average scores
Average values ; Base: Total target population
2
5,8
5,6
5,5
5,5
4,8
5,5
5,9
5,4
5,7
4,9
1,8
2,5
2,3
2,7
2,9
2,3
3,3
3,2
3,3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 - Estranged from other children / 7 - Open to
other children
1 - Equal opportunities as other children / 7 -
Unequal possibilities
Tipical child
A child with special needs
Child with disability is perceived as completely different than typical child in Montenegro:
• Typical child in Montenegro is described as cheerful, optimistic, self-confident, independent, equal, with equal
opportunities as other children, brave, open to other children and with strong character.
• In contrast to this a child with disability is described as sad, pessimistic, insecure, depending on others deprived of
his/her rights, with unequal possibilities, fearful, estranged from other children and with weak character (all differences are
statistically significant).
•Characteristic according to which these two groups of children are perceived as most different is self-confidence.

©2009Ipsos
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

©2009Ipsos
44%
27%
16%
4%
8%
0%
Theyshould go to the special educational institutions, inwhich
curriculum and access would be adjusted to them
Theyshould go to regular schools, but should go to a separate,
special classes where the teaching approachwould be
adjusted to their needs
Theyshould go to regular schools, but onlyto attend some
classes withother children, while other classes theywould
have separately, withspeciallytrained teachers
Theyshould go to regular schools and attend regular classes
withother children, to be treated inthe same wayas other
children, without adaptationof the curriculum to their needs
Theyshould go to regular schools and attend regular classes
withother children, but their curriculum and methods of
teaching should be adjusted (teachers should be trained to
provide inthe additional help)
Refusal to answer
How should educational access of children
with disabilities?
Majority of the citizens do not show full understanding for the
concept of inclusive education: while 44% think that such
children should go to the special educational institutions, in
which curriculum and access would be adjusted to them, while
27% of the citizens think that they should go to regular schools,
but should go to a separate, special classes where the teaching
approach would be adjusted to their needs.
16% of citizens think that the most acceptable is some kind of
partial inclusion – they think that these children should attend
only some classes together with other children, while they would
have other classes separately.
Only 12% of citizens support inclusive education of
children with disabilities.
Out of this number, 8% think that curriculum and methods
should be adapted to them, while 4% think that there is no
need for any adapting.
Inclusive education is more supported by those who are best
informed about children with disabilities. On the contrary, it is
particularly unacceptable to older citizens (over 65 years of
age), as well as population of eastern parts of the country.

©2009Ipsos
21%
41%
61%
27%
6%
6%
0%
5%
Not adjusted at
all
Partly adjusted
Sum -
Both yes and no
Sum +
Mainly adjusted
Fully adjusted
Do not know
Adaptation of educational systems and
methods of educational institutions needs DSR
65%
63%
62%
61%
52%
67%
41%
68%
60%
68%
53%
67%
26%
26%
24%
26%
35%
21%
47%
23%
26%
21%
35%
23%
6%
7%
9%
5%
4%
4%
13%
5%
7%
6%
6%
9%
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
They know something
Sum - And they are and are not adjusted Sum +
•Almost two thirds of citizens (61%) think that educational system and way of work in educational institutions are not
adjusted to children with disabilities – average grade is 2.2 (on the scale from 1 to 5). Only 6% think that they are mainly
adjusted, while others are indecisive.
•The eldest citizens, as well as residents of coastal area, evaluate this adjustment of school somewhat more positively,
while it is evaluated more negatively by residents of the capital and of the western areas, as well as those least informed
about these children.
Gender
RegionInformation

©2009Ipsos
Attitude towards inclusive education
7%
12%
11%
18%
18%
24%
23%
63%
74%
66%
64%
59%
57%
50%
41%
17%
Schools in Montenegro are not built to be accessible to children with
disabilities, and architectural adaptation of institutions to the needs
of these children should be one of the most important tasks of the
state and society.
Inclusion of children with disabilities in regular schools would
contribute to better understanding of these children by their peers.
Even when children with disabilities go through their education, they
have less chances to get a job than the other citizens of the same
level of education.
It's good that children with disabilities attend regular schools,
because in this way, social skills and tolerance of other children are
developed
If children with disabilities attend classes in regular schools, it has
positive influence on their development.
For the development of the children with disabilities it is much better
to attend a specialized institution for education, than to go to regular
schools.
If children with disabilities attend classes in regular schools, this
results in the fact that teachers pay too much attention to them, and
other children are deprived a little bit.
Montenegro currently has a lot of more important problems and
many more important issues than the adjustment of the regular
school to the needs of children with disabilities, creating new
educational programs and training teachers to work with these child
Disagrees Agrees

©2009Ipsos
3,9
3,7
3,6
3,6
3,5
3,4
3,2
2,4
Architectural
custom
troubleshoot
institutions
Fewer
opportunities for
employment
Better
understanding of
peer
Positive impact on
the development of
other children
Positive impact on
the development of
DSR
The advantage of
specialized
institutions
Teachers them
entirely incurred
too much attention
Majority of citizens (63%) think that education of children with
disabilities is an important social issue that needs to be addressed.
74% think that architectural adaptation of institutions to the needs of
these children should be one of the most important tasks of the state.
Majority of citizens also believe that inclusion would have positive
effects: it would contribute to better understanding of children with
disabilities by their peers (66%), it would influence their development
positively (57%), and it would also have positive effects on
development of social skills and tolerance of other children (59%).
Opposite to such attitudes, every second citizen still thinks that it is
better for children with disabilities to attend specialized institutions than
regular school. Almost two thirds of citizens think that, even besides
adequate education, these children have less chance of getting a job
than other citizens with the same level of education do.
Another 41% of citizens fear that inclusion would produce negative
effects on other pupils – teachers would have less time to dedicate to
them.
We may conclude that citizens have positive attitude towards
inclusion (probably under the influence of social desirability of
answers), but that they are still not convinced that inclusion is in the
best interest of the very children with disabilities, as well as of other
children.

©2009Ipsos
3,5
3,6
3,5
3,7
3,5
3,5
3,5
3,5
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,4
3,4
3,6
3,8
3
4
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
4
3
3
Male
Female
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
Primary and lower
Secondary
Higher and high
Urban
Rural
They know something
Theyknow a lot or verymuch
It's good that children with disabilities attend regular schools, because in this way, social
skills and tolerance of other children are developed
For the development of the children with disabilities it is much better to attend a specialized
institution for education, than to go to regular schools.
•Observed in general, more positive view of inclusion
is present among young adults (30-39 years of age),
among residents of urban areas and particularly the
capital city. The opposite stands for the least educated,
residents of rural and eastern parts of the country.
•Inclusion is well rated by persons who are well
informed about children with disabilities, while the least
informed grade it a lot worse. Persons who have personal
experience with children with disability are more aware of
positive effects of inclusion for these and other children as
well.
GenderEducationTypeInformation

©2009Ipsos
FAMILY AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

©2009Ipsos
The perception of families with children living
with disabilities
6%
5%
6%
7%
12%
18%
29%
22%
84%
80%
77%
76%
62%
51%
46%
43%
Families of children with disabilities can not be expected to overcome
all the challenges alone, they must be supported by the wider society.
Other children, who are growing up in families with children with
disabilities, learn to be more attentive and more tolerant.
Parents who are raising children with disabilities, usually have to
dedicate their life to them completely.
I feel sorry for families with a child with disabilities, because they are
victims of unfortunate circumstances.
Parents of children with disabilities often take too patronizing attitude
towards their child, which leads to isolation of that child from other
children.
If a child with disabilities is left without parental care, it is better to put
it in a sustainer family than in a home.
For children with disabilities it is better to stay in special institutions,
than to live in their families, because these institutions have experts
who are specially trained to work with them
In families where a child with disabilities is growing up, other children
are usually neglected.
Disagrees Agrees

©2009Ipsos
with disabilities
4,1
4,0
3,9
3,9
3,7
3,5
3,3
3,3
Families of children with disabilities
can not be expected to overcome all the
challenges alone, they must be
supported by the wider society.
I feel sorry for families with a child with
disabilities, because they are victims of
unfortunate circumstances.
Other children, who are growing up in
families with children with disabilities,
learn to be more attentive and more
tolerant.
Parents who are raising children with
disabilities, usually have to dedicate
their life to them completely.
Parents of children with disabilities
often take too patronizing attitude
towards their child, which leads to
isolation of that child from other
If a child with disabilities is left without
parental care, it is better to put it in a
sustainer family than in a home.
For children with disabilities it is better
to stay in special institutions, than to
live in their families, because these
institutions have experts who are
In families where a child with
disabilities is growing up, other
children are usually neglected.
•Families of children with disabilities evoke, as well as
children themselves, pity of general population - great
majority of citizens (74%) consider them victims of accident.
Majority (84%) also thinks that families with children with
disabilities need support of wide society.
•If we ask about perception of these families in detail,
we see that respondents (77%) think that parents of these
children usually have to dedicate their life to them fully.
62% think that parents often take too patronizing attitude
towards their child, which leads to isolation of the child.
• As for perception of the position of other children in
these families, 43% of citizens think that other children are
usually neglected in them. However, 80% think that children
from these families learn to be more attentive and more
tolerant.
•Opinion about whether it is better for children with
disabilities to live in specialized institutions or in their own
family are divided – institutionalization is supported by
almost half of citizens (46%), 29% are against, while others
are indecisive.
•Similarly, half of citizens think that if a child is left
without parental care, it is better to put it in a sustainer
family than in a home, while the other half disagrees or is
indecisive.

©2009Ipsos
with disabilities
3,4
3,3
3,0
3,5
3,2
3,2
3,2
3,1
3,4
3,4
3,2
3,0
4,2
4,1
4,1
4,1
4,1
4,2
4,2
4,1
4,1
4,1
4,1
4,3
Primary and lower
Secondary
Higher and high
Do 100€
101 - 200€
More then 200€
Refuses to answer
Urban
Rural
They know something
For children with disabilities it is better to stay in special institutions, than to live in their families,
because these institutions have experts who are specially trained to work with them
Families of children with disabilities can not be expected to overcome all the challenges alone,
they must be supported by the wider society.
•Larger number of persons who is better
informed about children with disabilities
thinks that family is the best place for
growing up, and they are even more aware
of the need of these families for broader
support of the society.
•Belief that it would be better for children
with disabilities to grow up in specialized
institutions is more widespread among
persons who are not informed about these
children, as well as among the least
educated, population of rural areas and
those with the lowest income.
Education
TypeInformationIncome

©2009Ipsos
Whether the state should financially assist
families of children with disabilities?
Yes
97%
No
1%
Refuses to
answer
2%
Almost all citizens (97%) think that the state should provide financial support for families of children with disabilities.

©2009Ipsos
12%
32%
45%
45%
10%
8%
2%
Conditions do not
exist at all
2
Sum -
3
Sum +
4
Conditions are
fulfilled fully
Rating conditions for normal life and development of
children with disabilities in Montenegro
36%
48%
47%
47%
34%
48%
45%
50%
36%
52%
42%
43%
45%
57%
38%
46%
42%
51%
12%
10%
9%
9%
9%
14%
9%
8%
13%
Primary and
lower
Secondary
Higher and
high
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Urban
Rural
Sum - 3 Sum +
• Great majority of citizens think that living conditions for children with disabilities are bad in Montenegro (45%) or medium
(45%) – average grade for the living conditions that this country provides to these children is 2.6 (the scale from 1 to 5).
• Persons with the lowest level of education, residents of rural and coastal area evaluate these conditions as
somewhat better.
EducationRegion
Type

©2009Ipsos
The rights of
children with
disabilities are
respected
equally as the
rights of other
children are
50%
The rights of
children with
disabilities are
respected to a
lesser extent
than the rights
of other
children are
40%
The rights of
children with
disabilities are
respected to a
greater extent
than the rights
of other
children are
10%
Respect the rights of children in Montenegro
How to respect the rights of children in Montenegro? Are the rights of children with disabilities follow
the same, more or less rights than other
children?
9%
24%
33%
40%
27%
24%
4%
Not respected at all
Mainly not
respected
Sum -
Both yes and no
Sum +
Mainly respected
Completely
respected
Only 27% of citizens think that children’s rights are mainly respected in Montenegro – citizens mainly believe that these rights
are partially respected (average grade 2.9).
The eldest citizens, as well as population of coastal and western areas are somewhat more convinced that these rights
are respected.
Opinions about respecting the rights of children with disabilities relative to other children are divided – while half of citizens
think that their rights are respected equally as the rights of other children, 40% think that they are respected to a lesser extent.
It is interesting that the remaining 10% (every tenth citizen of Montenegro) think that the rights of children with disabilities
are respected more than the rights of other children. They think that these children get more assistance and care than other
children do, exactly because of difficulties they are faced with.

©2009Ipsos
Why do you think that the rights of children with disabilities
comply with less / more than the rights of other children?
What do you see?
10%
8%
8%
8%
6%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Around them neglected / rejected
Because of their illness / lack of
Indifference of society / state
Lack of care, lack of support
The overall situation, the relationship
between society, state
Not all the conditions, opportunities for life
Not all the conditions, opportunities for life
Adapted system of education
Discrimination / consider them less
valuable
Because of prejudice
The bad regulations / laws violations
Lack of appropriate institutions
Otherwise they need
Such children are given more attention / help
Unequal opportunities
Multiple responses, Base: those who believe that the rights of DSR respected to a greater or lesser extent than the rights of other children (49% of the target population)
The most commonly quoted reasons for the
belief that the rights of these children are
respected less are being neglected by the
surrounding, indifference of the wider society
and the state, lack of care and assistance, not
adapted education system, but also lack of
understanding, prejudice and negative
discrimination.
• They think that these children get more
assistance and care than other children do,
exactly because of difficulties they are faced
with.

©2009Ipsos
13%
6%
6%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
2%
22%Because of their illness / lack of
Decrease / disability
Not all conditions for living
Environment rejects
The overall situation, the
relationship between society
Unequal opportunities
Give them a chance
Discrimination
Lack of care, lack of support
Because of prejudice
The possibilities and opportunities for personal
development potential of children with disabilities
Yes
33%
No
67%
Do children with disabilities have the same
opportunities and chances for personal development
potential as other children in Montenegro?
Why do you think that children with disabilities have
the same advantages and opportunities as other
children who live in Montenegro?
Multiple answers; Base: Respondents who believe that children with disabilities have the same
possibilities and opportunities for the development of personal potential (67% of the target
population)
• Two thirds of citizens think that children with disabilities don’t have the same opportunities and chances for development of
personal potential as other children do, while one third has opposite attitude.
• Citizens see a significant cause for this inequality in children themselves - their illness or disability (22%) or their limited
abilities (13%).
•Citizens also recognize social elements of this inequality, but they mainly mention general statements such as “they don’t
have all adequate living conditions” or “general situation, attitude of the society”. Concrete causes are recognized to a lesser
extent: prejudice and negative discrimination, unadjusted institutions, insufficient financial investments, lack of awareness and
understanding.

©2009Ipsos
Whether in Montenegro there is no law regulating and
guaranteeing the rights of children with disabilities?
Yes
51%
Do not know
36%
No
13%
• Half of citizens know that Montenegro has a law that regulates and guarantees the rights of children with disabilities.
• The eldest citizens (over 65), as well as those with the lowest level of education and residents of rural areas are
even less familiar with legislature. The same is valid for persons who are not in contact with children with disabilities.
36%
33%
30%
34%
48%
47%
33%
26%
37%
31%
43%
32%
44%
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
Primary and lower
Secondary
Higher and high
Edocation in progress
Urban
Rural
Yes
No
Gender
Education
Type
Know
DSR
Are not familiar:

©2009Ipsos
The main barriers to creating better living conditions and development
of children with disabilities and their inclusion in social life in
Montenegro
43%
35%
24%
24%
23%
22%
19%
19%
5%
1%
Lack of money at the local and / or state
level
The lack of enough well-trained
professionals and institutions who deal
with children with special needs
Indifference to the problem of state
Ignorance, lack of awareness of citizens
about the problems of children with
disabilities
Prejudices of the citizens to children with
special needs
The lack of clear national / local strategies
for improving the position of children with
disabilities
Indifference of society / citizen of the
problem
Inadequate law regulating the issue of
The existence of major problems in the
country that would be addressed first
Do not know
• The main barriers for creating of better
conditions for life and development of children
with disabilities are “objective”: lack of money
on local and/or state level (43%), as well as
lack of trained professionals and institutions
(35%).
• To a lesser extent, however, respondents
recognize also indifference, insufficient
knowledge (24%), as well as prejudice (23%)
as important.
• It is interesting that the best educated
citizens perceive lack of money as less
important reason than indifference of the
state.
• Indifference, prejudice and ignorance
are recognized as significantly more
important reasons among residents of the
capital and in the coastal area, while
situation is the opposite in the Eastern parts
of the country.

©2009Ipsos
34%
57%
90%
6%
1%
1%
0%
2%
A lot less money than
necessary
Less money than
necessary
Sum -
Just the right amount of
money
Sum +
More money than
necessary
A lot more money than
necessary
Do not know
The perception of government and social welfare
programs and support to children with disabilities
Nine out of ten citizens of Montenegro think that the society and the state give too little money for programs
intended for children with disabilities.

©2009Ipsos
5%
7%
6%
9%
8%
14%
18%
14%
12%
85%
84%
83%
78%
77%
65%
56%
53%
51%
Parents and siblings of children with disabilities
Health care system
The system of social protection
The government of the republic (state) level
The education system and school institutions
The authorities at the local level
The citizens of Montenegro, fellow? Ani, neighbors, etc..
Media
Non-governmental organizations and civic associations
Minimal or no responsibility Maximum or fully responsible
Perception of the responsibilities of relevant persons and
institutions for improving the position of DSR and their
integration into broader society

©2009Ipsos
4,3
4,3
4,2
4,1
4,0
3,7
3,6
3,6
3,5
The system of social protection
Parents and siblings of children with
disabilities
Health care system
The education system and school
institutions
The government of the republic
(state) level
The authorities at the local level
The citizens of Montenegro citizens,
neighbors, etc..
Media
Non-governmental organizations
and civic associations
Perception of the responsibilities of relevant persons and
institutions for improving the position of DSR and their
integration into broader society
• In the opinion of majority of citizens, the
whole society and all its members are perceived
as more or less responsible for children with
disabilities. However, parents and relatives are
expected most from (85%), as well as from
healthcare and social protection systems (84,
83%).
• The least responsible, on the other hand, are
citizens themselves (56%), media (53%), as well
as NGOs (51%).

©2009Ipsos
The best way to remedy the situation of
children with disabilities in our society
• Observed in general, positive attitude towards
institutional protection of children with disabilities,
which is considered necessary at least in some
cases, is still widespread among citizens of
Montenegro.
• As the best way to help children with
disabilities, 40% perceive providing care for them
in special institutions. Another 30% think that these
institutions should be reserved only for the most
severe cases, while majority of these children
should be included in all social activities.
• 12% of citizens think that all children with
disabilities should be included in the society and
adapted to it as much as they can. 13% of citizens
think that broad society should and adapt to their
specificities.5%
30%
13%
12%
40%
All children w ith disabilities should be put in
special institutions, w ith specially trained staff
and activities adjusted to their abilities.
Only a minority of more difficult cases of children
w ith disabilities should be put in special
institutions, and the majority of children w ith
disabilities should be included in all regular
activities, along w ith other citizens.
The w ider society should, above all, become
adapted to children w ith disabilities, in order for
them to get included into everyday life the easiest
possible w ay.
All the children w ith disabilities should live
together w ith other people (not in specialized
institutions) and be, as much as they can,
adapted to living in society.
Do not know

©2009Ipsos
The best way to remedy the situation of
children with disabilities in our society
36%
3%
0%
0%
19%
7%
4%
5%
0%
5%
23%
12%
0%
5%
25%
9%
0%
2%
2%
28%
All the DSR
should be
placed in
institutions
Only difficult
cases should
be placed in
institutions
All DSR should
live together
with others
The wider
society needs
to adapt
Because of technical assistance /
support adequate
So it's best for them
Should be accepted equally
Better integration into society
It's easier for society to adapt
• Those who think that these children
should be taken care of in special institutions
explain this view with their belief that these
children would be provided adequate and
professional help there and that „it is best for
them“.
• On the other hand, persons who prefer
inclusion say that these children should be
accepted as equal, and those who think that
the society should be adjusted think that it is
easier for the society to be changed.
• Inclusion and adapting of the society are
supported more by persons who are
informed best about children with disabilities,
as well as by population of the capital city.

©2009Ipsos
Have you heard of the Convention of the United
Nations (UN) on the Rights of the Child?
Yes
67%
No
33%
Two thirds of citizens say that they have heard of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, somewhat more
those who are best informed about children with disabilities and population of urban areas.

©2009Ipsos
The perception of respect for the rights of children with
disabilities is guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of
the Child in Montenegro
Base: those who have heard of the Convention of the United Nations (UN) on the Rights of the Child (67% of the target population)
10%
22%
32%
44%
24%
23%
2%
They are not respected at all
Sum -
Sum +
Completely respected
38%
27%
36%
4%
28%
48%
41%
46%
44%
69%
44%
26%
21%
27%
20%
27%
27%
26%
Male
Female
Podgorica
Coast
West
East
Sum -
They are both respected and not respected
Sum +
• Among citizens who have heard of this Convention, only every fourth thinks that the rights that it guarantees are
mainly respected in Montenegro. Average grade that these citizens give for balance between real situation in the
country and the Convention is 2.8 (on the scale from 1 to 5).
• Women and population of coastal area evaluate this balance somewhat more positively, while it is the opposite
with men, persons with the lowest income and residents of eastern areas.
Gender
Region

©2009Ipsos
58
Summary
Children with disabilities rouse compassion of Montenegrin citizens, and they are associated with
suffering, bad luck, helplessness.
Clearly visible physical characteristics (deformations, defects, problems with mobility) are the most
important criterion according to which children with disabilities are categorized. In addition to children
who lack part of the body or who have a physical impairment, citizens identify to the highest extent
with this category the children with sensory or mental disabilities.
Majority of the citizens of Montenegro have personal experience with children with disabilities – more
than two thirds of the citizens know some child with disabilities or parent of such child. Nine out of ten
citizens have at least occasional contact with such children.
Despite that, the citizens are generally poorly informed about this topic, judging by their own
assessment , but also judging by their estimation of the number of children with disabilities,
awareness of modern technologies and legal regulations. The main source of information are media.
For those who have contacts with children with disabilities the main source of information is personal
experience.
Observed in general, it seems that two dimensions of citizens’ attitudes towards children with
disabilities can be differentiated. On one hand, the citizens mainly express sympathies for these
children and they think that everything possible should be done to help them. On the other hand, it
seems that deep-rooted conviction is that such children are essentially different from other children,
which is why, despite their own efforts and efforts of the society, they can never be completely
integrated in society.
In support of such observation speaks a pronounced social distance towards children with disabilities
– while majority of the citizens have nothing against such children living in their neighborhood,
decisive majority still wouldn’t accept closer levels of relationship with them (friendship or emotional
relationship).

©2009Ipsos
59
Summary
Just somewhat above one out of ten citizens support inclusive education of children with disabilities, while
decisive majority of them think that it is in the best interest of such children to be educated in special
institutions, or at least in special classes .
Citizens recognize the need that schools and educational system should be adapted to children with
disabilities, as well as positive effects of including these children in regular school, but they still doubt final
effects of inclusion, for both children with disabilities, and for other children.
Citizens empathize with families with children with disabilities, they show understanding for the challenges
they are faced with and they think that they need support of broad society, including financial assistance.
However, almost every second citizen gives advantage to institutionalization of children with disabilities
over raising these children in families (natural or sustainer).
Great majority of citizens think that living conditions for children with disabilities are bad in Montenegro.
They agree that rights of children are respected only partially, while opinion on whether rights of children
with disabilities are respected more or less than rights of other children is not uniform.
Two thirds of citizens believe that children with disabilities don’t have equal possibilities for personal
development as other children do, and they think that the key barrier is their own disability and not social
factors.
As the main barriers for more extensive inclusion of children with disabilities in the society are perceived
“objective factors”, primarily lack of means on local and state level, as well as lack of professionals.
Citizens have positive attitude towards allocation of more funds for this purpose.
However, citizens recognize as significant obstacles also social factors such as lack of interest, lack of
information, negative attitudes and prejudices.

©2009Ipsos
60
Summary
Protagonists most responsible for the welfare of children with disabilities are considered to be their
parents and relatives. Relevant state institutions are healthcare and social protection institutions.
When we ask citizens about the best way to help children with disabilities, we once again hear
widespread beliefs about impossibility of integration and positive attitudes towards institutionalization.
Largest number of citizens think that institutional care for all (40%) or at least some children (30%) is
the best that can be done for them. Only one fourth of citizens think that all children with disabilities
should be included in the society or that society should be adapted to them.
In general, personal experience with children with disabilities and more knowledge are in positive
correlation with their more extensive acceptance and more positive attitude towards inclusion of these
children. Also young, well educated and residents of urban areas share positive opinion about
inclusion, while the least educated persons, those with the lowest income and residents of rural areas
have opposite opinion.
The most important source of information for citizens of Montenegro is TV. Better educated citizens
and residents of urban areas get informed also from newspapers, while Internet is an important source
for young people.
Citizens trust domestic media most, primarily TV stations and print. They also trust information
received from their close ones - friends and relatives.

Research on the social inclusion of children with disabilities in Montenegro

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Research on the social inclusion of children with disabilities in Montenegro