A fifth of the public have laughed at someone, called someone names or avoided talking to someone because of their learning disability or autism, according to new research from Dimensions.
In a survey, the charity also found that 6% admit to having physically hurt someone because of their learning disability or autism – equivalent to 3.6 million people.
In addition, one in six would feel uncomfortable sitting next to someone who has a learning disability or autism on public transport and one in seven would feel uncomfortable having someone as their neighbour, if they knew they had a learning disability or autism.
Dimensions says this research exposes that negative attitudes and behaviours towards people with learning disabilities and autism remain alarmingly present in the UK. Only 25% of the public think society is inclusive of people with learning disabilities and autism, and 30% think society has become even less inclusive.
In response, the charity is now launching the #NoTimeForHateCrime campaign to reduce instances of hate crime, and to support people who experience or witness it.
This is because the research also shows that one in four regret how they’ve behaved towards someone with a learning disability or autism and shows there is a widespread desire to do better.
