Coalition demands action on justice for disabled people
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 23rd October 2024.
A coalition of disabled people's organisations have come together for a fortnight of campaigning and action to demand justice and equality for disabled people.
Disability Equality Scotland, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Inclusion Scotland, and Disabled People-Led Organisations have published a series of asks focused on increased investment in advice and support services, a scrapping of social care charges, and protected funding for Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs).
The coalition of organisations have also expressed their disappointment in how the Scottish Government failed to deliver on an Immediate Priorities Plan to address the winter 2023 cost-of-living crisis, and plans for a Disability Equality Plan in this year's programme for government.
"The 3 DPOs leading this campaign have invested considerable time and energy to no avail," they say. "Our collaboration on an immediate priorities plan began as a genuine attempt at co-design and has ended in collapse of all promises and ambition – leaving us struggling to defend our involvement to our members, in what has turned out to be a sham process.”
With 47% of disabled people reporting they were struggling with energy bills and cutting back on food – a considerably higher rate than non-disabled people – it is more urgent than ever that disabled people's rights are upheld. SCDC supports this campaign to demand justice and equality.
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