A major study commissioned by the Special Olympics Movement has revealed that negative attitudes can prevent people with learning disabilities playing a full role in society.
The research was conducted in ten countries across the world, including Ireland.
The Special Olympics Movements says that the study provides scientific proof that people with intellectual disabilities have been excluded from mainstream society.
Only 36% of those surveyed believed that people with learning disabilities could perform complex tasks such as understanding a news event.
Fifty-four per cent believed negative media portrayals of intellectual disability posed a major obstacle to the inclusion of people with disabilities in society.
The study was formally launched at an event during the Special Olympics in Dublin today.
