More than a quarter of people surveyed on their attitudes towards people with learning difficulties said they would not want a care home for them built where they lived.
In a poll of 300 people, 27 % said they would object to such plans, compared with just 6% who would oppose proposals to build a care home for older people.
However, the research by consultants PIELLE revealed that more than half of those polled would welcome better information about learning disabilities and mental health disorders.
And 39 % believed society discriminates against people with learning difficulties. Chairmain of PIELLE Peter Walker said: "It is almost as if all our efforts have been focused on issues of gender, race and physical disability, hoping that the issues of learning disability and mental health shouldn't be discussed or dealt with in public."
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Social Work Blog: Neighbour Nimbyism