The results of a new survey, which was conducted by London-based market research company Kantar, claims that before the Paralympic Games, 71 per cent of disabled people said they did not feel valued by the public.

But the research shows that this sentiment had surprisingly increased to 76 per cent by the end of the Paralympics.

"We did some research before and after the Games looking at the way in which British people view the community of people with disabilities," said the head of political and social for Kantar, Dr Michelle Harrison.

"People without disabilities held up people with disabilities in a very strong light but people with disabilities did not feel that.

"They did not feel that they are valued by the general public – that sentiment did not change during the Games."

British quadruple gold medal winning Paralympian David Weir shows his four gold medals as he takes part in the London 2012 Victory Parade for Team GB and ParalympicGB athletes

The survey, which questioned 351 people with disabilities before the Games and 305 people afterwards, also found that three quarters of disabled people think they should be represented better in the media.

"Britain does see itself as a very caring and supportive society but that does not translate into the day-to-day support that the community of people with disabilities feel," added Harrison.

The move will come as a disappointment to London 2012 after International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven described the event as the "greatest Paralympic Games ever".

The Games also saw some stunning performances from ParalympicsGB athletes, including wheelchair racing star Dave Weir who took four gold medals, while the Games saw Britain win more medals than they did in Beijing in 2008, from more sports, as they finished third on the medal table.

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