Inclusion Scotland is run by disabled people ourselves. This is important because disabled people know best about the barriers that prevent our full inclusion into Scottish society. We experience them every day. But we cannot remove them by ourselves. We need allies and supporters. We need those in power to hear disabled people’s voices and work with us to remove these barriers.
Social Model
We believe that people are not disabled because of a medical condition, but by barriers like:
- Other people’s negative attitudes and lack of awareness;
- Inaccessible buildings, transport and communication methods;
- Poverty arising from cuts to benefits, social care charges, extra costs, and discrimination by employers;
- Services that should support us to live as full and equal citizens instead taking away our freedom, choice and control; and
- Lack of information and power to make our voices heard.
None of these barriers are inevitable – so neither are disabled people’s inequality and exclusion. Find out more about the social model of disability.
Independent Living
We work to promote Independent living. This means all disabled people having the same freedom, choice, dignity and control as other citizens at home, at work and in the community. It does not necessarily mean living by yourself or fending for yourself. It means rights to practical assistance and support to participate in society and live an ordinary life.
Human Rights
We inform disabled people about their human rights and take action to embed them into policy, practice and everything we do.
Co-production
We promote co-production. Co-production means working with other groups with an interest in the subject, including whoever has the power to act. It means working as equal partners, from the start, before decisions are taken, in order to achieve an agreed outcome.
Inclusion Scotland works to make sure that decisions affecting disabled people’s daily lives are informed by their views and lived experience. Together, with our members and supporters, we work for the removal of the barriers to disabled people’s economic, social and civic inclusion, and to promote their rights, choices and voices, as full and equal citizens.
What we can offer
- Policy resources on welfare benefits, health and social care and lots of other issues
- Accessible information about new policy initiatives
- Opportunities for disabled people and their organisations to influence policy
- We are involved in some projects aimed at boosting the employability of disabled people, and their access to politics and elected office
- Information about local disabled people’s organisations
- Training on topics where we have expertise
- A monthly newsletter
We regret we do not have the resources to give advice to individual disabled people about problems with benefits or services.