Activate: A report about the issues faced by young disabled people in Scotland and about their activism for change.
In the last year we have been reaching out to young disabled people, aged 16-30 to find out what matters most to them and their ideas for policy change in Scotland.
Young disabled people told us how important it is that policy-makers and decision-makers take into account what matters most to young disabled people, what they think needs to change and what is getting in the way of them reaching their full potential as equal citizens in Scotland.
From experiencing bullying and isolation at school, struggling to get the right care and support, having difficulties getting communication support, facing a cliff-edge when moving from child to adult services, or struggling with getting into and on at work, we have heard young disabled people describing everyday barriers that stop them from living the lives they choose.
When stacked on top of the issues facing all young people in Scotland – unstable work, worries about identity, issues around sex and relationships, rising rents and austerity-driven cuts to services, it was clear that everyday discrimination and inequality is still leaving young disabled people in Scotland feeling disconnected and undervalued. Young people told us that coping with everyday barriers gave them little time or energy for campaigning. However many young disabled people want to engage with policy and decision-makers and to lead the changes which need to happen.
Our Activate report outlines key suggestions to policy and decision makers about cast-iron things they could do to make Scotland a more inclusive place for young disabled people. This includes combatting prejudice-based bullying, creating new legislation to improve transitions for young people, ensuring private letting is more accessible to the importance of making the Additional Support for Learning system fit for purpose. Read more:
Activate: Young disabled people’s issues and activism in Scotland pdf
Watch our short film featuring young disabled people at Activate speaking about the issues they face and what activism means to them. The film has British Sign Language and subtitles.
