2007: Attitudes Regarding People with Developmental Disabilities in 1962 vs. 2007 Survey

A survey of the Minnesota general population was conducted in the summer of 1962, to measure awareness and attitudes regarding (developmental disabilities). The 1962 survey, which included 900 respondents, was updated and repeated in January 2007 to assess and measure changes during the past 45 years. Approximately 806 people in the general population responded to the 2007 telephone survey.

From 1962 to 2007 the majority opinion has shifted from disagreement to agreement, that the best way to care for people with developmental disabilities is not by institutionalizing people but by supporting families. While most Minnesotans believe that the immediate family is in the best position to provide care, there was great support for the idea that the family cannot carry the responsibility alone.

https://mn.gov/mnddc/extra/customer-research/GCDD_Attitudes1962-2007_Final.pdf