Can exposure reduce prejudice? : the introduction of police officers with disabilities in Sierra Leone

Awareness-raising initiatives are crucial to address the discrimination of People With Disabilities (PWDs). But what makes such initiatives successful? Building on evidence from Sierra Leone, this paper clarifies the factors that shape the success of disability awareness interventions. More concretely, it examines an initiative in which police officers with disabilities were employed by the Sierra Leone Police to work alongside 'abled' police officers with the aim to challenge negative stereotypes. This study unfortunately did not find clear evidence that sustained interaction between abled and disabled police officers resulted in the former revising their (negative) views of PWDs. Four explanatory factors emerged: (1) different selection procedures used for disabled and abled police officers contributed to the belief that unqualified and inadequate PWDs were hired; (2) this belief was further strengthened by the importance attached to bodily strength within police culture; (3) disabled police officers were appointed to positions hidden from the public and (4) were provided with limited career opportunities, both of which reproduced existing negative stereotypes and strengthened the idea that PWDs are incapable.