A message from Tony Blair, The Prime Minister

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People with learning disabilities can lead full and rewarding lives as many already do. But others find themselves pushed to the margins of our society. And almost all encounter prejudice, bullying, insensitive treatment and discrimination at some time in their lives.

Such prejudice and discrimination no less hurtful for often being unintentional has a very damaging impact. It leads to your world becoming smaller, opportunities more limited, a withdrawal from wider society so time is spent only with family, carers or other people with learning disabilities.

What's also a real cause for concern and anxiety is that many parents of learning disabled children face difficulties in finding the right care, health services, education and leisure opportunities for their sons and daughters. At best, they can feel obstacles are constantly put in their way by society. At worst, they feel abandoned by the rest of us.

We have to change this situation if we are to achieve our goal of a modern society in which everyone is valued and has the chance to play their full part. There has been progress often through the efforts of families, voluntary organisations and people with learning disabilities themselves. But a great deal more needs to be done.

This White Paper sets out this Government's commitment to improving the life chances of people with learning disabilities. It shows how we will meet this commitment by working closely with local councils, the health service, voluntary organisations and most importantly with people with learning disabilities and their families to provide new opportunities for those with learning disabilities to lead a full and active life.

I know the publication of a White Paper, however good its proposals, does not itself solve problems. The challenge for us all is to deliver the vision set out in this document so the lives of many thousands of people with learning disabilities will be brighter and more fulfilling. It is a challenge I am determined this Government will meet.

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