Disability Equality Scotland Manifesto for Change 2022: Local Elections

Disability Equality Scotland’s mission is to give all disabled people in Scotland a voice with trust, care and empathy. We will use what we hear to advocate for and enable change to improve lives.

As the umbrella organisation for all disability Access Panels in Scotland, we represent disabled people at a local level, to make our communities more accessible.

Using our local election manifesto, all candidates and Councillors can help make a positive difference for disabled people with accessibility barriers in their area.

We ask that candidates and Councillors commit to the following:

  1. Supportive of a Social Model of Disability

The Social Model of Disability proposes that what makes someone disabled is not their medical condition, but the attitudes and structures of society. Disability Equality Scotland wants to ensure that barriers which restrict choice, opportunity and movement are removed for disabled people.

  1. Protected Human Rights

Disability Equality Scotland want to ensure that the rights of disabled people are fully protected and that they receive fair and equal treatment at all times.

  1. Inclusive Communication

Disabled people should have access to information that is inclusive and widely available in formats that meet their needs. Disability Equality Scotland will continue to work with Scottish Government to promote the Inclusive Communication Hub to support anyone with an interest in improving their inclusive communication tools and processes.

  1. Opportunities for Employment

Disability Equality Scotland wants to see the disability employment gap reduced by at least 50%, where disabled people are recruited or supported to remain in meaningful employment, at a fair wage, through the provision of reasonable adjustments.

  1. Support for Access Panels

Disability Equality Scotland wants the Access Panel Network to be recognised as valuable contributors to consultations on planning applications lodged in local authority areas across Scotland. The Access Panel Network should also be acknowledged as a source of knowledge on building regulations and the implementation of reasonable adjustments.

  1. Equitable Social Care

Disability Equality Scotland wants to ensure that health and social care support services are designed to meet – and do meet – the individual needs and outcomes of disabled people.  This includes having disabled people involved in the planning and development of services.

  1. Accessible Transport

Disabled people should have an accessible and affordable transport system, designed and developed in partnership with disabled people. Disability Equality Scotland will continue to work with Transport Scotland to improve accessible transport in Scotland.

  1. Access to Justice

Disability Equality Scotland wants to see an increase in awareness of disability hate crime, including how it can be recognised and reported.  Disability Equality Scotland will continue to work with our partners to raise awareness via our Disability Safety Hub: www.disabilitysafety.scot

  1. Access to Active participation

Disabled people should be able to participate as equal and active citizens in all aspects of daily and public life in Scotland. Disability Equality Scotland wants increased opportunities for disabled people to meaningfully participate and engage in local and national discussions, strengthening the Democracy Matters agenda.

  1. Support Young People

Young disabled people should be assisted in their transition to adulthood through opportunities to influence policy, direct support, counselling, training, and choice of opportunity. Disability Equality Scotland support the voice of young people through recruitment of Young Directors to our Board of Trustees, encouraging young people to join their local Access Panel and promotion of our young membership category: www.disabilityequality.scot/young-membership