Sharing our members’ manifestos: a collective call for change
Across Scotland, Disabled People’s Organisations are setting out clear, practical demands for change ahead of upcoming elections and policy decisions. Within the Scottish Independent Living Coalition (SILC), members are using manifestos to bring lived experience to the centre of political debate and to set out what needs to change if disabled people are to live with choice, control and dignity.
This article shares a selection of recently published manifestos from SILC member organisations. While each reflects the priorities of its own members and communities, together they show the strength of a collective voice rooted in disabled people’s rights and independent living.
About SILC
The Scottish Independent Living Coalition brings together Disabled People’s Organisations from across Scotland to work collectively to advance independent living and disabled people’s rights. SILC provides a space for collaboration, shared learning and strategic influence, ensuring that disabled people’s voices are represented at the highest levels of decision-making.
SILC is rooted in the principle that disabled people should have choice, control and dignity in all aspects of their lives. By working together, member organisations strengthen a collective voice that can influence policy, challenge inequality and promote systems that remove barriers and support independent living.
Through SILC, members engage directly with government, public bodies and partners to shape policy and practice. The coalition has played an important role in national work, including collective contributions to the development of the Disability Equality Plan. Bringing together a diverse range of organisations helps ensure that policy discussions are informed by a wide range of lived experiences and organisational knowledge.
Why member manifestos matter
Manifestos are a powerful way for Disabled People’s Organisations to set the agenda, rather than simply respond to it. They bring together the experiences of their own disabled members, identify common barriers and set out clear asks for decision-makers.
Taken together, these manifestos highlight persistent inequalities in access to support, services and opportunities. They also offer practical solutions developed by people directly affected by current systems. Sharing them helps amplify these messages, strengthens collective influence and makes it harder for disabled people’s voices to be ignored.
Recent SILC member manifestos
Glasgow Disability Alliance
Glasgow Disability Alliance’s manifesto for the Holyrood election sets out what needs to change to achieve a fairer Scotland for disabled people. It presents five clear asks for candidates, focused on ensuring disabled people have the same freedom, opportunity and security as non-disabled people. The manifesto reflects GDA’s long-standing role in shaping policy through lived experience and collective action.
Inclusion Scotland
Inclusion Scotland’s manifesto sets out the 7 key priorities that disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) across Scotland have identified as essential for equality and justice. Inclusion Scotland are calling on all candidates and parties in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election to protect disabled people’s human rights, reverse damaging policies that have deepened our exclusion, and commit to new policies that will secure our full inclusion in society.
People First (Scotland)
People First (Scotland)’s manifesto has been written by its members and reflects their priorities for the 2026 Scottish elections. As a user-led Disabled People’s Organisation, People First brings people together through local and national self-advocacy groups to share experiences and campaign for change. The manifesto focuses on three core areas: how people with learning disabilities see themselves, how society views and treats people with learning disabilities, and how law and policy affect their lives.
VOX Scotland
VOX Scotland’s manifesto draws directly on what its members say about trying to access mental health support across Scotland. People report long waits, being passed between services and experiencing inconsistent care depending on where they live. Many feel unseen, unheard or unsupported. The VOX Scotland manifesto brings these experiences together and sets out a focused plan for change based on four pillars: strategy, funding, services and workforce.
Explore and share
These manifestos show the breadth and depth of expertise within the Scottish Independent Living Coalition. Each offers clear messages for politicians, policymakers and public bodies, grounded in lived experience and focused on meaningful change.
You can read the full manifestos here:
We encourage members, partners and allies to read, share and use these manifestos in conversations with decision-makers. For example, you could use these manifestos to come up with questions to candidates either on your doorsteps or at hustings events.
Together, these manifestos demonstrate the power of a collective voice for independent living in Scotland.
