Inclusion Scotland

05/06/2026

Content warning: This post discusses legal decisions affecting disabled people’s rights, including issues around consent, autonomy, and access to safeguards. There are also examples of abuse in care homes and support facilities. Some readers may find this upsetting.

On 2 June 2026, the UK Supreme Court removed important legal protections for disabled people who lack mental capacity, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands without independent checks, advocacy, and access to legal aid. This decision raises serious questions about consent, autonomy, and human rights.

In our latest policy analysis, we explore what this ruling means for disabled people in Scotland and across the UK, why "absence of objection is not consent", and what action we believe the Scottish and UK Governments must now take.

Read the full analysis and learn why rights should never be rolled back to solve a resourcing crisis. ⬇️

https://inclusionscotland.org/rolling-back-on-rights-is-not-a-waiting-list-solution-absence-of-objection-is-not-consent/




Image description: A square graphic with a light turquoise background. Large dark purple text reads: “Absence of objection is not consent.” Beneath the text is a photograph of a blurred person holding up a card with the word “NO” written on it. The Inclusion Scotland logo appears in the bottom right corner. The graphic highlights the importance of informed consent and challenges the assumption that silence or lack of objection should be treated as agreement.

04/06/2026

Do you want to help shape mental health policy in Scotland?
Are you passionate about inclusion, lived experience and making change happen?

We’re excited to share a paid Lived Experience and Participation Assistant Internship with the Mental Health Foundation, as part of our Employment and Internship Programme.

This is a unique opportunity for deaf and disabled people to work alongside the Diverse Experiences Advisory Panel (DEAP), supporting people with lived experience to influence decision-making and remove barriers to participation.

Glasgow (hybrid and flexible working)
£14.80 per hour
Flexible hours (14–32 hours per week)

You’ll gain hands-on experience in participation, policy and inclusive practice. You’ll build skills, confidence and connections while contributing to meaningful change.
No formal experience needed. If you’re interested in mental health, equality and working alongside others to make systems more accessible, we want to hear from you.

📅 Deadline: Monday 8 June at midday

Find out more about the internships, including how to apply:
https://inclusionscotland.org/job-vacancy/lived-experience-and-participation-assistant-internship/



Image description: A purple graphic with the Inclusion Scotland logo at the top. Below, bold text states: “Paid internships. Real experience.” and smaller text reads: “Supporting disabled people into meaningful work.” The graphic features two images: one of a person signing with their hands, and another of two individuals shaking hands in a professional environment. At the bottom, there is a call to action: “Explore our internship opportunities – www.inclusionscotland.org/get-involved/vacancies”.

02/06/2026

“If you don’t fit the mould, so be it. We can make new moulds.”

When Cara McKee decided to stand for election, she was told she might not be “up to it”.

With support from the Access to Elected Office Fund, she was able to put the right support in place, from coaching and travel support to tools that helped her stay organised and manage her energy.

Now, she says the Fund has helped her feel “braver, more prepared, and healthier.”

If you’re a disabled person thinking about standing in the 2027 council elections, you don’t have to do it alone. The Fund is there to help remove barriers so you can focus on your campaign.

Read Cara’s full story in her own words: https://inclusionscotland.org/cara-mckee-we-can-make-new-moulds-aeof-case-study/
Find out more about the Access to Elected Office Fund: https://inclusionscotland.org/access-to-politics/



Image Description: A branded Inclusion Scotland graphic with a photo of Cara McKee standing in front of a street march with flags and people in the background. The text highlights her experience of the Access to Elected Office Fund, stating it helped her feel “braver, more prepared, and healthier”. The graphic invites viewers to read Cara’s story and learn more about the Fund.

29/05/2026

We’re really pleased to see a motion lodged by Katie Hagmann MSP recognising the impact of the Access to Elected Office Fund and the role it plays in removing barriers to standing for election.

The motion also welcomes the election of five MSPs who accessed support through the fund, which is a significant step towards a more representative Parliament.

It’s encouraging to see the work of Inclusion Scotland acknowledged in enabling disabled people to participate as equal partners in Scotland’s democracy.

🔗 Read the motion: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S7M-00162

The Scottish Parliament examines what the Scottish Government is doing, makes new laws on devolved matters and debates the issues of the day.

27/05/2026

Disability Equality Scotland are looking to recruit volunteers to join their Board. This is a great opportunity to support and shape the strategic direction of a national Disabled People's Organisation.

See the details below.

Join the Disability Equality Scotland Board of Directors 📢

We are recruiting up to six volunteers to join our Board and help shape the future of Disability Equality Scotland.

As a Board member, you will:
✅ Support the strategic direction of a national Disabled People’s Organisation
✅ Work closely with fellow Board members, our CEO, staff, Access Panels, and stakeholders
✅ Help ensure our work continues to meet the needs of the people and communities we serve

This voluntary role requires a maximum commitment of 8 days per year, including quarterly online Board meetings, our AGM, and annual Access Panel Conference.

We provide:
✔ Induction and training
✔ Accessible materials and support
✔ Reimbursement of reasonable expenses

Closing date for applications: Friday 12 June 2026

Find out more and access the application pack on our website:
disabilityequality.scot/join-us/

Image description: Graphic promoting a Board opportunity with Disability Equality Scotland. The image features the text ‘Join Us! Board Opportunity’ and ‘Closing date: Friday 12 June 2026’ alongside the Disability Equality Scotland logo and an illustration of a megaphone on a pink, grey, and dark blue background

26/05/2026

Want to use your creativity to make a real difference?

We’re excited to share a paid Communications and Content Assistant Internship with The Health and Wellness Hub, as part of our Employment and Internship Programme.

This is a brilliant opportunity for deaf and disabled people to build skills, gain confidence and help tell powerful, real-life stories from a community-focused organisation.

📍Motherwell
💷 Real Living Wage (£13.45 per hour)

You’ll work alongside a small, supportive team to create social media content, videos, written pieces and more, helping share the impact of services that support people’s health, wellbeing and confidence.

No need for formal experience. If you’re interested in communications, open to learning and want to develop your skills, we want to hear from you.

Apply by Monday 8 June at 12pm (midday)

Find out more about the internships, including how to apply:
https://inclusionscotland.org/job-vacancy/communications-and-content-assistant-internship/



Image description: A purple graphic with the Inclusion Scotland logo at the top. Below, bold text states: “Paid internships. Real experience.” and smaller text reads: “Supporting disabled people into meaningful work.” The graphic features two images: one of a person signing with their hands, and another of two individuals shaking hands in a professional environment. At the bottom, there is a call to action: “Explore our internship opportunities – www.inclusionscotland.org/get-involved/vacancies”.

21/05/2026

We’re excited to share a new paid internship opportunity with Revenue Scotland as part of our Employment and Internship Programme.

This Tax Operations Administrator Internship is a fantastic opportunity for deaf and disabled people to gain hands-on experience in the public sector, build confidence and develop valuable workplace skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.

📍 Edinburgh (Victoria Quay, Leith) with hybrid, flexible working
💷 £27,164–£30,281 (pro rata for part time)

You’ll be part of the Tax Operations team, contributing to real work that helps fund public services across Scotland. You don’t need formal work experience, applications are welcome where skills from lived experience, education, volunteering and more.

Apply by 17 June at 12pm (midday)

Find out more, including how to apply:
https://inclusionscotland.org/get-involved/vacancies/?tag=internship



Image description: A purple graphic with the Inclusion Scotland logo at the top. Below, bold text states: “Paid internships. Real experience.” and smaller text reads: “Supporting disabled people into meaningful work.” The graphic features two images: one of a person signing with their hands, and another of two individuals shaking hands in a professional environment. At the bottom, there is a call to action: “Explore our internship opportunities – www.inclusionscotland.org/get-involved/vacancies”.

20/05/2026

We’ve joined over 40 organisations, including the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, to call on the new First Minister to strengthen human rights in Scotland.

We’re urging action on a Human Rights Bill and dedicated leadership to help make rights real in people’s everyday lives.

Find out more and read the letter in full: https://inclusionscotland.org/coalition-calls-for-stronger-human-rights-action-in-scotland/

We have joined a coalition of 43 civil society organisations, including the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, in writing to the new First Minister, calling for urgent action to strengthen human rights protections across Scotland. The joint letter, sent on 19 May 2026, welcomes the new First Minister...

14/05/2026

We are concerned by the nature of the media attention focused on the election of Dr Q Manivannan to the Scottish Parliament at the recent election. Rather than celebrating the improvement in representation of Scotland’s diverse population Dr Manivannan’s election represents, our public sphere has been fixated on debating their right to be an MSP.

Less than eighteen months ago, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed, with every party voting in favour, the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act. This gave the right to stand for election to anyone with leave to remain in Scotland, whether temporary or permanent. It is therefore clear that Dr Manivannan had a legal right to seek and win election.

That law built on earlier efforts to make the Scottish electoral system more democratic and inclusive.

The Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020 expanded voting rights for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish local authorities to most people legally living in Scotland, regardless of their citizenship status. This was a recognition of the contributions that everybody living, working, raising families and studying in Scotland make to our communities and economy. It was an affirmation of the principle that Scotland is governed by and for everyone who lives here.

Dr Manivannan’s success in being elected is one of the intended results of this widely supported legislation. The people who choose to make their homes here should be included, supported and electorally represented. It is a sad sign of the times, and the state of our public discourse, that what should have been a proud moment for Scottish democracy has been marred by partisan spin, attacks on Dr Manivannan’s identity both as an immigrant and non-binary person, and media failures to confront disinformation.

This treatment of Dr Manivannan risks further cementing barriers to public office for women, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Research on experiences of seeking elected office in Scotland suggests that harassment on social media and hostile media coverage is a significant factor in discouraging potential candidates from underrepresented groups. This needs to change – especially in light of the decline in women’s representation in the current parliament.

We welcome the election of Dr Manivannan as an example of what we hope will be a more open and inclusive democracy that welcomes immigrants as both voters and representatives. We hope that the new parliament will represent all of the people of Scotland, promote tolerance and respect in the chamber, and work to uphold the rights and dignity of all.

Image description:

A square graphic with a pale purple background and dark purple heading reading: “Statement on Responses to Election of Dr. Q Manivannan.”
Below the heading are the logos of organisations supporting the statement, arranged in rows. These include: The Young Women’s Movement, Scottish Trans, Equality Network, LGBT Youth Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, CRER (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights), Equal Representation Coalition, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, CEMVO Scotland, ElectHER and Engender.

14/05/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Time

We’re sharing this post from our member organisation, Mental Health Network Greater Glasgow, reminding us that many people experience mental health challenges in different ways - and that support, understanding and kindness matter.

You are not alone.

Sending love to 💚