Living on the Line: Mexican and Mexican American Attitudes Toward Disability

This study examined attitudes toward people with disabilities (PWD) among Mexicans and Mexican Americans at the U.S.—Mexico border. Participants (N = 160) were surveyed using the Questions About Disability Survey (QADS). A factor analysis identified five factors that accounted for 49% of the variance: Maleficent God; Social Issues—Outer Circle; Expectations; Beneficent God; and Social Issues—Inner Circle. An examination of the expectation and social factors indicated significant nationality, gender, and age-group differences on responses regarding PWD being hidden from others; discomfort around, avoidance of, and ignoring PWD; excusing bad behaviors, bad temper, and hurtful actions of PWD; embarrassment of a family member with a disability; treating PWD kindly; medicine as the best cure; viewing PWD as bitter; and chance of success and future for PWD.