SCVO is involved in ongoing work relating to the disabilities voluntary sector in Scotland.

Access Panels Project 2002 - 2004

Access Panels are groups of disabled people whose main role is to provide advice on making the built environment more accessible to disabled people.

In early 2002 SCVO undertook research into the situation of panels in Scotland to try and identify what was happening ‘on the ground’ across the country. 

Read the research report here.

It was clear from the report that further work was needed. From mid 2002 to early 2004, at the request of the Scottish Executive, SCVO facilitated an Access Panel Steering Group. Its task was to identify, using extensive consultation, measures that would create a more favourable operating environment for panels. It submitted final recommendations to the Executive in August 2003.

Read the recommendations report here.

The clear wish of panels, as expressed in a ballot of all panels known to SCVO in July 2003, was for the Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) to take forward one of the most important of these recommendations, namely that there should be a national umbrella body to support panels. In December 2003 the Scottish Executive approved an application by SDEF for funds to assume this role from April 2004.

Resources  

Accessible Events Guide  - all you need to know about holding events that are accessible to all. March 2003. Also available in a text only format and a pdf file (144KB)

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995... and all that! An SCVO Briefing August 2003

Contacts

Disability Organisations

Abilitynet Scotland www.abilitynet.co.uk
Free info service on any aspect of the use of a computer by someone with a disability, individual assessment of technology needs, adapted computer equipment with full training and technical support, a programme of awareness education and consultancy for employers on system and workstation adaptations. 

Adapt  (Access for Disabled People to Arts Premises Today) Trust www.adaptrust.co.uk
Grant aid for access improvements; awards for excellence; training in access awareness; consultancy service on access

British Deaf Association Scotland www.bda.org.uk
Objectives: represents the interests of Britain’s deaf people all of whom use British Sign Language. Aims to protect and advance the interests of deaf people and better inform the hearing public about deafness. 

Capability Scotland www.capability-scotland.org.uk
Scotland’s largest disability organisation, providing a broad range of services to adults and children with disabilities. Website offers details on their adult and children’s services, news and campaigns, advice and information.

The Centre for Independent Living in Glasgow (CILIG)
CILIG provides training for voluntary groups, the private sector, the public sector and to disabled people. They cover Disability Equality, Direct Payments, the Disability Discrimination Act plus training for people who wish to be Personal Assistants for disabled people. They also have a register for Personal Assistants (PAs) which is a way for PAs to obtain work. CILIG has accessible offices and meeting rooms which are available to hire. 
Phone: 0141-550-4455 Email: maureen-mchugh@cilig.co.uk 

Deafblind UK www.deafblindscotland.org.uk
This site provides information, advice and support to help people who have a dual sensory impairment, their families and friends and the professionals who work with them. 

Disability Rights Commission (DRC) www.drc-gb.org
Comprehensive site explaining work and services of DRC plus information and advice for disabled people, employers and service providers about legislation, rights and requirements, campaigns and a link section.

Down’s Syndrome Scotland www.dsscotland.org.uk
This is a membership organisation which works to improve the quality of life for everyone with Down’s syndrome in Scotland. Its membership includes individuals who have Down’s syndrome, parents and professionals. The site offers sections on publications, information, news, events.

Enable (leading the way in Learning Disability in Scotland) www.enable.org.uk
Enable campaigns for people with learning disabilities and family carers. The website provides details of their campaigns work and services, events and fundraising and partnership working.  

Inclusion Scotland (IS)
www.inclusionscotland.org
A new innovative consortium of disability-led organisations and individual disabled people. Through a process of structured development we aim to draw attention to the physical, social, economic, cultural and attitudinal barriers that affect our everyday lives as disabled people in Scotland. We aim to encourage a wide understanding of those issues throughout mainstream thought in Scotland. In short, we want to reverse the current social exclusion experienced by disabled people through civil dialogue, partnerships, capacity building, education, persuasion, training and advocacy.

Meldi www.meldi.org
Minority Ethnic Learning Disability Initiative, based in Edinburgh providing various services to individuals with a learning disability or special needs and to their carers and families who are from black/ethnic minority communities.

Penumbra www.penumbra.org.uk 
Penumbra’s objectives is to provide, develop and innovate distinctive and high quality services for people with mental health problems in Scotland and beyond. The website details its work and campaigns, and has a special section on projects with young people. 

People First Scotland
P1stscot@aol.com
Objectives: aims to advance the education of people with learning difficulties in Scotland so that they can achieve their full potential, take part in self-advocacy groups, express thoughts, feelings and ideas and to educate the public and service providers about the needs of people with learning difficulties in Scotland.

Project Ability www.project-ability.co.uk
In Glasgow, specialises in creating opportunities for disabled people to gain access to the visual arts. Workshops enable people to participate in a long term programme of local, national and international and artistic and cultural events, exhibitions and exchanges. Site is adjustable for those with poor vision.

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Scotland www.rnib.org.uk
Promotes better education, training, employment and welfare for visually impaired people, to watch over and protect their interests and to prevent blindness. Provides information, news, events, advice and support legislation and training relating to blind and visually impaired. Website lists all RNIB offices/services available in Scotland.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) Scotland  www.rnid.org.uk
RNID offers advice and support on tinnitus, hearing aids, lipreading, sign language courses etc. Directory of services detailing over 8,000 organisations that provide services for deaf and hard of hearing people – also database of equipment. Can download fact sheets on all aspects of deafness and hearing loss. Catalogue of useful publications and links to related websites.

Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) www.saifscotland.org.uk
Improving access to information and advice services for disabled people and carers.SAIF aims to make information more accessible to everyone who meeds it. SAIF supports the rights of disabled people and carers in having access to timely and accurate information about a wide range of services. The website provides information about services, initiative and SAIF newsletter. Download “Enabling Information” report – full version or summary.

Scottish Association for Mental Health www.samh.org.uk
This site offers information and advice on mental health problems, SAMH services, news, campaigns, know your rights, benefits advice, links. 

Scottish Disability Equality Forum www.sdef.org.uk
The Forum is a membership organisation open to all disability organisations or any individual with any type of impairment. The site contains information on SDEF events, recent newsletter and policy responses. Also, reports of SDEF meetings.

Scottish Human Services Trust www.shstrust.org.uk
SHS is involved in and works with people and organisations in the areas of learning difficulty, physical disability and mental ill health.. The website contains, newsletters, research, training courses and events, policy and SHS project details.

Sense Scotland (quality services for deafblind people) www.sensescotland.org.uk
Sense Scotland is part of the UK National Deafblind and Rubella Association. Site includes information about Sense Scotland and their values; information on their advisory services, community living, day services, practice development and policy and information; useful links and publications. 

SKILL Scotland (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) www.skill.org.uk 
Skill promotes opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK. The site includes, news, information, press releases.

UK Government www.disability.gov.uk 
Updated UK government disability information website. The site contains a basic introduction to legislation protecting disabled people, and links to consultation documents and information campaigns run by the Department for Work and Pensions