A picture of the Coronavirus and hand soap, someone washing their hands and a timer showing 20 seconds

SCLD Statement on Coronavirus

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In the wake of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic we are taking precautionary steps informed by current public health information. We will be postponing any events that we have planned to take place in the next two weeks and will consider rearranging them in due course. We are currently in the process of contacting our event attendees. We will also contact …

A wall with the text 'For Women' on it

Leave no woman behind – women with a learning disability and #IWD2020

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On International Women’s Day 2020 we asked Eilidh Dickson, Policy and Parliamentary Officer at Engender for her thoughts on what still needs to be done to uphold the rights of women with learning disabilities in Scotland… The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day 2020. This day is an important marker for us to reflect on progress, yet far too …

Oonagh's blog

Standing up for the human rights of children and young people with learning disabilities

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Tuesday 10th December marks Human Rights Day, the day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights which has influenced international Human Rights treaties ever since. The theme of Human Rights Day 2019 is ‘Youth Standing Up for Rights’. Globally we have seen outstanding examples of children and young people standing up for their rights and making their …

The panel at the Disability Hustings event

Putting the voice of disabled people at the centre of our democracy

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Representatives from the main political parties were grilled by disabled people and families at a ‘hustings’ style Q&A event organised by 10 leading disability charities, including the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD). More than 100 disabled people and their families, carers and professionals attended the national hustings event which took place on Thursday 5th December at Augustine United Church, …

A photo of Michelle Steel's slide show, showing a slide with a list of things that people with learning disabilities want, such as 'choice' and 'relationships'.

Self-Directed Support, Human Rights and People with Learning Disabilities

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The ‘Self-Directed Support, Human Rights and People with Learning Disabilities’ event took place as part of The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland’s Self-Directed Support Masterclass Series, which aims to break down barriers to accessing Self-Directed Support (SDS) and look at the ways it can help people who have a disability or who are living with a long-term health condition, …

Lorne's blog

Housing as a human right for people with learning disabilities

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A generation of people with learning disabilities have grown up since Scotland’s largest long-stay hospital finally closed its doors in 2002. Lennox Castle Hospital, on the outskirts of Glasgow, housed almost 1700 people with learning disabilities at its peak in the 1970s.  It was one of many such institutions across Scotland.  This policy of institutionalisation marginalised people with learning disabilities, …

Oonagh's blog

Getting the UNCRC Right for Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities

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Over this summer, The Scottish Government has consulted on the Incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scottish domestic law.  The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) believes this is a long-awaited and critical development, which aims to make sure that all children’s UNCRC rights are met in Scotland to the highest possible …

Catriona's blog

Does easy read really make for easier reading?

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SCLD’s Implementation & Involvement Officer, Catriona Rowley explores the often complicated world of easy read… Since reading the “Easy read and inclusivity: two perspectives” article from the Scottish Learning Disability Observatory (SLDO) last week, I’ve been thinking about my experiences of Easy Read. Both Rhiann and Lois made comments in the piece that had me nodding along in agreement. Feedback from …

Award winner Lewis McDermid talks in front of an indoor athletics track

A wee blether with… Lewis McDermid, winner of the Learning Disability Sport Achievement Award 2019

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SCLD caught up with Lewis and mum, Tracey, in Stirling, to see what he has been up to since the Learning Disability Awards… SCLD – Congratulations again on winning the Sport Achievement Award. How did you feel when you knew you were nominated for a Learning Disability Award? Lewis – Thanks… honestly, I was just very surprised! SCLD– What was …