Resources

Disabled People’s Organisations in Scotland wrote to the First Minister on the 4th September 2023, to urge him to use the new parliamentary session to reset his relationship with disabled people and our organisations.

More importantly, we asked the First Minister in Scotland to prioritise disabled people in Scotland by asserting his leadership to drive forward an Immediate Priorities Plan to tackle the poverty and inequalities which are blighting lives, eroding rights and leading to poorer life outcomes for disabled people, including dying in higher numbers.

The letter was written by GDA and supported by Inclusion Scotland, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living, Self-Directed Support Scotland, People First Scotland and Disability Equality Scotland.

The First Minister must use the new programme for government as an opportunity to show his commitment to prioritising disabled people in his policies and tackling the rife poverty and inequalities we are facing.

GDA's Summer Programme for young disabled people 14+ is now live!

Our Summer programme brings together our young members to build skills, have fun and make friends!

All GDA workshops are free and fully accessible. Transport, lunches and PA support provided.

GDA welcomes young people with any type of impairment/disability. Don’t be bored this summer, come and join us to meet others and have some fun!

This response was informed by the lived experience of GDA members, disabled people who have a range of impairments and conditions including those with physical impairments, mobility impairments, people who are neuro-diverse, those who have learning difficulties, disabled people who are blind and deaf or who have visual or hearing impairments, people who experience mental health conditions and distress and people who have experienced head injuries among others. The age ranges were from 17+ - 65.

65 disabled people attended a specific online event, held in April 2023, including members representing the views and experiences of younger disabled people, Black, Asian and minority ethnic disabled people and LGBT disabled people.

This response also draws on GDA’s significant dialogue and intensive engagement and supports with and for disabled people over two decades, most notably over the duration of building Social Security Scotland which GDA has been closely involved with. The Report therefore draws on the lived experience shared by thousands of disabled people and reported to us.

It's been a busy year for GDA Members!

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to campaigning, contributing and working with us to make sure disabled people's voices are heard in Glasgow and beyond.

GDA Voices Programs Include:
Drivers for Change
Social Care Expert Group
Young Drivers for Change
BAME Network
LGBT Network
Women's Network

This newsletter gives a short overview of our activities in 2022.

GDA’s BAME Disabled People Network is a dedicated space for the voices, experience and expertise of disabled people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds – including disabled asylum seekers and refugees.

This report shares evidence from GDA’s recent Mental Health Research Project which also builds on findings from GDA wellbeing check-in calls and survey including failures in statutory services to provide accessible mental health supports.

It calls for holistic services that support disabled people’s physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.

The Research finds that disabled people are aware of what is needed to support their wellbeing and how they can maintain or improve their mental health but that there is a distinct lack of support from statutory services when a disabled person requires interventions for mental ill health.

The Report calls for action across 5 areas-

1. Involve and Listen to Disabled People

2. Eliminate barriers to access

3. Invest in accessible and holistic wellbeing services

4. Address gaps in services

5. Promote and uphold human rights.