Founded over 20 years ago, Disability Equality Scotland is a national charity and member-led disabled people’s organisation (DPO).
Who we are
We work to make life more accessible, equal and inclusive for disabled people in Scotland.
We promote access in its widest sense. Our aim is for every disabled person to have the opportunity to participate in a fulfilling and independent life and to reach their full potential.
We represent the views of individuals with any type of impairment, as well as Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), and other groups or organisations who share our aims.
We work to influence Scottish Government and others whose decisions affect how disabled people live.
We encourage everyone to be inclusive and informed in their behaviour and attitudes towards disabled people.
We are the umbrella organisation for Access Panels, which are unique to Scotland. Access Panels are groups of disabled volunteers who work together to improve physical access and wider social inclusion in their local communities. We work in partnership with other DPOs, the Scottish Government, public bodies and third sector organisations to deliver this support.
Our vision
Working towards equality, inclusion and participation for disabled people in Scotland.
Our mission and how we work
Our mission is to give all disabled people in Scotland a voice, and to listen with trust, care and empathy.
We advocate for disabled people and enable change to improve lives.
We achieve this by working with:
- Members
- Access Panels
- Partners and stakeholders
Working with members
We are led by our members.
We engage with our members, share opportunities for partnership working, promote good practice, and use a shared voice to influence change.
We ensure our members’ views are known and their voices are heard. We create opportunities for members to take part in issues that matter to them.
Working with Access Panels
We support Access Panels in Scotland as their network umbrella body. We help Access Panels achieve their goals at a local level.
We promote Access Panels and ensure stakeholders are aware of their skills and the benefits that engagement with Access Panels brings to the wider community.
We work to ensure the Access Panel network is sustainable and future proofed. This includes retaining, enhancing and developing skills to support local community planning and collaboration with Local Authorities, public bodies and private organisations.
We seek opportunities to strengthen the financial sustainability of Access Panels as key partners in the Scottish Government’s Democracy Matters agenda.
Working with partners and stakeholders
We collaborate with partners across all sectors where working together helps achieve equal participation for disabled people and brings about change.
We work to be an effective partner by building our knowledge, experience and networks so that people’s voices are heard and understood.
We use our members’ lived experience to show how things are and identify what needs to change. We share these experiences to support improvement.
We seek opportunities to work with organisations and individuals who can act as ambassadors and promote our work.
Join Disability Equality Scotland
Membership is free. Become part of our growing community and help improve equality and accessibility across Scotland
Join today using our online membership form.
©2026 Disability Equality Scotland