Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities

Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities SCLD's vision is of a fairer Scotland where people with learning disabilities live full, safe, loving and equal lives. Human Rights | Leadership | Evidence

Human Rights | Leadership | Evidence

The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities’ (SCLD) vision is of a fairer Scotland where people with learning disabilities live full, safe, loving and equal lives.

🦄 “Being seen is getting out there with a big voice and finally being understood.” — AaronPeople with learning disabilit...
03/09/2026

🦄 “Being seen is getting out there with a big voice and finally being understood.” — Aaron

People with learning disabilities have voices, experiences and ideas that matter.

Being Seen means creating opportunities for those voices to be heard – and making the effort to understand them.

This Scottish Learning Disability Week, we're asking people and organisations across Scotland to turn support into action.

💜 Pledge your support for .

Your pledge could be to:
• listen to people with learning disabilities
• make an event or activity more accessible
• create opportunities for people to contribute
• challenge assumptions about learning disability
• make sure lived experience voices are part of decisions

Small changes can help create a Scotland where more people feel seen, heard and valued.

👉 Make your pledge: https://zurl.co/pivi6

What will you do to help people with learning disabilities be seen?



Project Ability Down's Syndrome Scotland Enable Pamis

SCLD welcomes important commitments in the Programme for Government on prevention, human rights, independent living, soc...
02/09/2026

SCLD welcomes important commitments in the Programme for Government on prevention, human rights, independent living, social care reform and tackling violence against women and girls.

We are, however, concerned that people with learning disabilities are not sufficiently visible across the Programme. Wider commitments to reform will only work if the particular rights and experiences of people with learning disabilities are built into their design and delivery.

We want to see a stronger rights-based approach to prevention and public spending, meaningful involvement of people with learning disabilities in the major reforms now being taken forward, and urgent progress on the Human Rights Bill, including strong incorporation of the UNCRPD.

Health reform must address the stark inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities, including through better delivery of Annual Health Checks. Social care reform must strengthen choice, control and independent living, and tackle inconsistent eligibility and charging.

We welcome investment linked to Coming Home, but there must also be accountability when people remain in hospital because the housing or support they need is not available. The Programme’s focus on violence against women and girls must also address the wide-ranging systemic barriers women with learning disabilities face when seeking support and justice for gender-based violence in Scotland.

The absence of the LDAN Bill from the legislative programme, and subsequent confirmation from Ministers that it is to be dropped is deeply disappointing. This is a missed opportunity to deliver meaningful change and accountability for people with learning disabilities.

SCLD is calling for stronger national leadership on learning disability, including a national plan developed with people with learning disabilities and backed by clear outcomes and accountability.

https://zurl.co/yIegO

📣 ONE WEEK TO GO!This time next week, will be underway! 🎉Across Scotland, people with learning disabilities, families,...
31/08/2026

📣 ONE WEEK TO GO!

This time next week, will be underway! 🎉

Across Scotland, people with learning disabilities, families, organisations and communities will be coming together to celebrate, connect, challenge barriers and call for change.
And there are lots of ways to take part.

📅 The events programme is packed with opportunities to get involved – from online sessions and workshops to celebrations and community events.

Find something that interests you, sign up and join us in making sure people with learning disabilities are seen, heard, valued and included.

🔎 Explore what’s happening and find an event:
https://zurl.co/zot0h

Whatever you do we want to hear about it! Tag and use and .

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 💜

Enable Down's Syndrome Scotland Pamis Project Ability

📣 Can you help bring this year’s theme to life?Our friends at Values Into Action Scotland are making videos about thi...
29/08/2026

📣 Can you help bring this year’s theme to life?

Our friends at Values Into Action Scotland are making videos about this year’s theme:
👀 I am here… to be seen

They’ll be at the Scottish Learning Disability Week event at Meadowbank on Tuesday 8 September and want people to get involved and share their voices.

This is a chance to talk about what being seen, heard and included means to you – and help make sure lived experience is at the heart of . 💜

Interested? Take a look at the flyer for details and get in touch with Amy or Ebi to find out more.
📢 Please share and help spread the word!

“I’m going to keep grabbing opportunities and let the world know what I am capable of.” - JoPeople with learning disabil...
29/08/2026

“I’m going to keep grabbing opportunities and let the world know what I am capable of.” - Jo

People with learning disabilities have the right to be seen, heard and valued.

They have the right to make their own choices, have ambitions, take opportunities and shape their own futures.

For , graduates of Our Future Leaders have shared their Vision Statements – in their own words, based on their own lives, hopes and ambitions.

Their messages are a powerful reminder that lived experience must be at the heart of the decisions that affect people with learning disabilities.

A rights-based approach means more than listening. It means creating the conditions where people can exercise their rights, make choices, have their voices taken seriously and have real opportunities to lead change.

Listen to the Our Future Leaders Vision Statements:
https://zurl.co/RcM4H

And then ask yourself: what can I do to help make that vision a reality?

Pledge your support: make a promise to take action so that people with learning disabilities are seen, heard and included https://zurl.co/Dkdpx

Being seen and heard isn’t a privilege. It’s a right.


Down's Syndrome Scotland Pamis Project Ability Enable

People with learning disabilities die 20 years younger on average than the general population.That is a stark health ine...
28/08/2026

People with learning disabilities die 20 years younger on average than the general population.
That is a stark health inequality, and it is a rights issue.

People with learning disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else: the right to health, to be included in their communities, to have relationships, to learn, to work, to feel safe and to live a full life.

Yet inequalities continue across many areas of life in Scotland.

How much do you know about what life is like for people with learning disabilities in Scotland today?

Our True or False activity for is a simple way to test what you know, challenge assumptions and start conversations about inclusion. The activity explores experiences including employment, relationships, education, exercise, family life and bullying.

📊 Explore the infographic:

https://zurl.co/dAAhs

❓ Try the True or False activity:
https://zurl.co/GhC5g

Use both resources with your colleagues, friends, family or community. Talk about what surprises you. Challenge the inequalities behind the statistics. And think about what needs to change and what action you can take so that people with learning disabilities can enjoy their rights equally.



Down's Syndrome Scotland Project Ability Pamis Enable

🦄 “Being seen is connecting with your friends.” — SarahSometimes being seen is as simple as having somewhere to go, some...
27/08/2026

🦄 “Being seen is connecting with your friends.” — Sarah

Sometimes being seen is as simple as having somewhere to go, something to do and people to share it with.

During Scottish Learning Disability Week, 7–13 September, people across Scotland will be getting together to talk, learn, celebrate and connect.

Why not join an event with a friend?

Or organise your own activity and create a space where people with learning disabilities can meet, connect and feel welcome.

👀 See what's happening during the week: https://zurl.co/u0l1o



Enable Down's Syndrome Scotland Project Ability Pamis

🦄 “Being seen is being part of society and contributing to it.” - SandyBeing part of society is not a privilege. It is ...
26/08/2026

🦄 “Being seen is being part of society and contributing to it.” - Sandy

Being part of society is not a privilege. It is a right.

People with learning disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else – the right to participate in their communities, to have a say in decisions that affect their lives, to build relationships, and to be valued for the contribution they make.

But having rights on paper isn't enough.

People need to be able to exercise those rights in everyday life.

That’s what is about.

During Scottish Learning Disability Week, join SCLD to hear from people with learning disabilities, share experiences and explore what needs to change so that everyone can participate fully and equally in Scottish society.

📅 Find out more and join :
https://zurl.co/6w6gF

🎸 Being seen. Being heard. And turning up the volume!For Michael, music has played an important part in bringing people ...
25/08/2026

🎸 Being seen. Being heard. And turning up the volume!
For Michael, music has played an important part in bringing people together and challenging barriers.

Michael’s story shares how a gig by Heavy Load, a band of musicians with and without disabilities, inspired the beginnings of Stay Up Late in Scotland.

Today, Stay Up Late Scotland continues to champion something that should be simple: people with learning disabilities have the same right as everyone else to enjoy a social life, have fun and share their skills and talents.

💬 “We all have the right to get the support we need to have a good social life and also have opportunities to share our skills and talents.” Keith Etherington, Stay Up Late Scotland

What better way to kick off Scottish Learning Disability Week 2026 than with music?
🎶 On Monday 7 September, join the inclusive music gig ‘I am here… to be seen (and heard!)’

🦄 This year’s theme is I am here… to be seen – and being seen means having opportunities to take part, express yourself, connect with others and have your voice heard.

📖 Read Michael’s story: https://zurl.co/LP21a
🎟️ Find out about the gig: https://zurl.co/eQC6q

We look forward to seeing you there

Last week SCLD was delighted to attend the first Trindlemoss Day Opportunities Graduation Ceremony, held in partnership ...
24/08/2026

Last week SCLD was delighted to attend the first Trindlemoss Day Opportunities Graduation Ceremony, held in partnership with Ayrshire College.

It was a lovely evening celebrating the achievements, growth and hard work of the people who attend Trindlemoss.

The graduates have taken part in learning opportunities that have helped them develop new skills, build confidence, increase independence and think about their aspirations for the future. It was wonderful to see their achievements recognised and celebrated alongside their families, supporters and the Trindlemoss and Ayrshire College teams.

A huge congratulations to all of the graduates!

Address

SCLD, Clockwise, 77 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G23BZ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441412483733

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