THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND PERCEPTIONS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON LEARNERS SOSICIAL INTERACTION IN INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS AT SMK NEGERI 1 SIDOARJO

Abstract

This study aims to determine the influence of social acceptance and perceptions toward persons with disabilities on the social interactions of students in inclusive education settings at SMK Negeri 1 Sidoarjo. A quantitative approach was employed using a multiple correlational analysis method. Data were collected using scales measuring three variables: social acceptance, perception toward persons with disabilities, and social interaction. The sample consisted of 308 students selected through random sampling from a population of 1,339 students across grades X, XI, and XII. Based on the normality test results, the data were found to be non-normally distributed; therefore, non-parametric statistical analysis using Kendall’s tau-b was applied. The homogeneity test showed that the data were homogeneous, with a significance value greater than 0.05. The results indicated a positive and significant influence between perception toward persons with disabilities and social interaction, with a significance value of 0.001 and a coefficient of 0.450. Additionally, a positive and significant influence was found between social acceptance and social interaction, with a significance value of 0.001 and a coefficient of 0.478. The results of the multiple correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant influence of both social acceptance and perceptions toward persons with disabilities on social interaction, with a significance value of 0.001 and a coefficient of 0.783.

Keywords: Social interaction, Perception, Social acceptance