Attitudes of community-living staff toward the integration of persons with mental retardation in the community

The present study was conducted to determine the extent to which the current philosophical approach of inclusion and integration in the community of persons with mental retardation is embodied in the attitudes of staff members who are charged with implementing it. The research sample was comprised of 106 staff members who work in three major geographical districts of community-living settings in Israel. Overall, the results suggest that a true understanding of and agreement with this philosophy is far from being achieved. The findings of this study provide evidence that staff members charged with providing services and support to persons with mental retardation have not fully adopted the attitudes of the community-living approach. Findings are interpreted in relation to practice.