Tag: Disability Equality Plan

More support for disabled people as Improving Access Fund launched

A new fund launched yesterday offers £1.5 million in grants for projects designed to break down barriers and strengthen services that disabled people depend on.

The Improving Access Fund is a key part of the Scottish Government’s £3 million Disability Equality Plan. Jointly designed with Disabled People’s Organisations, the Fund will provide grants for projects that improve access to essential services and promote independent living, choice, and participation.

It will focus on three priorities:

  • Accessible financial advice and support
  • Inclusive participation in communities and everyday life
  • Better mental health and wellbeing.

Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart said: “Scotland should be a country where disabled people can live the lives they choose – supported, empowered, and included every step of the way.

“Today’s launch of our Improving Access Fund is a really important step towards that – it has been designed with disabled people, for disabled people.

“Through our Disability Equality Plan, we are making a clear commitment: disabled people are a priority for the Scottish Government. By investing £3 million in this work, we are strengthening access to the services and support that enable independence, choice, and participation.

“In contrast, disabled people in Scotland remain deeply concerned about the potential effects of planned UK Government welfare reforms. We call on the UK Government to abandon these damaging proposals and to follow the Scottish Government’s lead in investing in and enhancing the social security safety net, rather than tearing it apart.”

Heather Fisken, CEO of Inclusion Scotland said: “Disabled People’s organisations are led by disabled people ourselves and know best what needs to change.

“For too long our organisations have had to shift shape to ‘fit’ with funders’ missions and requirements, missing out on critical funding to keep our organisations running and to make the changes desperately needed so that disabled people are empowered in their own lives.

“The Improving Access Fund is different because it targets Disabled People’s Organisations and DPOs helped to design it.”  

Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “Our survey of 756 disabled members found 91% are deeply concerned about equality and human rights, feeling under attack and de-prioritised.

“This has led to poverty, exclusion, poorer mental health, and reduced participation in daily life. Glasgow Disability Alliance and our members welcome the Improving Access Fund, which will advance equality, independent living, choice, and participation.”

Lyn Pornaro, CEO of Disability Equality Scotland said: “Disabled people demand justice and access to services, buildings, events and public bodies – in the same way as non-disabled people. 

“This fund is a starting point to improving access to the key areas of focus in the Disability Equality Plan and, most importantly, in the lives of disabled people daily.”

Disability Equality Plan

The Fund is being administered by Inspiring Scotland and more details are available here

Improving access to services for disabled people

Increased investment as part of Disability Equality Plan

Additional funding of £500,000 will be delivered to strengthen access to essential services and projects that disabled people rely on.

It comes as a result of dialogue with Independent MSP Jeremy Balfour on the best way to support Disabled People’s Organisations and follows his tireless campaigning on behalf of disabled people throughout this parliamentary session.

The additional investment will support our Improving Access Fund, announced earlier this year as part of the Scottish Government’s Disability Equality Plan. This brings the total funding available in the fund to £1.5 million.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We made it very clear when launching our Disability Equality Plan that disabled people are a priority for the Scottish Government.

“In order to deliver lasting change, we must improve access to vital support and services. That’s why the Scottish Government is boosting the amount available via the Improving Access Fund. This means we are committing to invest £3 million to support the overall Disability Equality Plan and improve the lives of disabled people across Scotland.

“We also recognise the vital role Disabled People’s Organisations play in working to support and empower disabled people, and so we are committing to explore multi-year funding for those organisations.”

Independent MSP Jeremy Balfour said: “I am proud to have worked with the Scottish Government to deliver new money for disabled people in Scotland.

“This funding is a solid step in the right direction, but it must not be the last step. I believe a wider debate needs to take place on how best to support disabled people across into the next parliament.

“Delivery of a multi-year funding deal is a welcome commitment.”

Inclusion Scotland has welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government of an additional £0.5 million for the Improving Access Fund:

“This funding will help deliver the actions set out in the Disability Equality Plan launched earlier this year.

“We will continue to work alongside Glasgow Disability Alliance, Disability Equality Scotland, and disabled people to ensure the fund brings real and lasting improvements to disabled people’s everyday lives, while building momentum and commitment towards securing all the resources needed to achieve equality.”

The Improving Access Fund will open for applications in autumn this year.

Disability Equality Plan

Disability Equality Plan published

£2.5 million investment to drive change across Scotland

A Disability Equality Plan launched today, backed by £2.5 million investment, will improve the lives of disabled people across Scotland and put their experiences and concerns at the heart of policymaking.

The funding, an increase of £2 million, recognises the significant challenges and barriers disabled people continue to face.

The plan reflects a government-wide commitment to ensure that the voices and experiences of disabled people are considered from the beginning.

Key actions include:

  • improved mental health support tailored to disabled people
  • expanded access to advice and support services
  • training for policymakers and leaders to build understanding of the issues facing disabled people
  • an annual Cabinet Takeover, giving disabled people a direct platform to speak to Ministers

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Disabled people are facing unprecedented hardship, deepening poverty and increasing social isolation. Years of austerity, the cost of living crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic have not helped and services need to be equipped to respond to these challenges. 

“I am firmly opposed to the UK Government’s proposed reforms to social security and deeply concerned about the effects they will have on disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and unpaid carers.

“The UK Government’s own analysis estimates these will push a further 250,000 people across the UK, including 50,000 children, into poverty.

“We will not mirror these changes. We are committed to safeguarding our Adult Disability Payment and upholding the dignity and rights of disabled people.

“Our approach is rooted in dignity, fairness and respect – not austerity- and the UK Government should follow our lead and protect the social security safety system, rather than dismantling it.

“Scotland is showing that a better way is possible. The increased funding for the plan I am announcing today will build on our human rights-based approach to strengthen vital support and services for disabled people.

“I want to thank all the organisations that have worked tirelessly to help shape this plan. Their insight and leadership have laid the foundation for lasting change. 

We are committed to working with disabled people and their organisations, upholding the principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’. I am confident that Scotland can become a country where disabled people truly thrive.”

Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Disability Alliance Tressa Burke said: “This funding from the Scottish Government is a win for the collective action of disabled people and our allies.

“We are grateful to everyone who took part in our campaign Disabled People Demand Justice and commend the Scottish Government for responding positively.

“But it is a small step, when we need big leaps; poverty and inequality experienced by disabled people remain at unacceptable levels, and we need both the Scottish Government and the UK Government to urgently invest in disabled peoples’ lives to deliver dignity and justice.”

Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Scotland Heather Fisken said: “This plan and related actions are a welcome step forward, but these will only be successful if it is properly resourced and if it there is accountability of delivery.

“We want this accountability to be led by disabled peoples’ organisations and disabled people themselves – genuine partnership between our organisations and the Scottish Government requires honesty and scrutiny, and that will be our focus going forward.”

Chief Executive Officer of Disability Equality Scotland Lyn Pornaro said: “This shows the power of disabled peoples’ campaigning, and is a step in the right direction, but our campaigning work to deliver justice for disabled people will continue.

“This includes making sure that both the Scottish Government and the UK Government deliver dignity, security, and human rights for disabled people – that requires investing in our communities and including services- not cutting the support we rely on.”

Disability Equality Plan – gov.scot