Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities

30/09/2026

Today SCLD are in Kirkintilloch delivering our 2nd (ESAS) workshop to East Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women Partnership (VAWP).

Since their first workshop the partnerships have:

- Began reviewing their Equality Strategy to ensure it complies with the United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
- Made Equally Safe and Supported a standing item on their meeting agendas.
- Embedded the toolkit in their local Equally Safe Delivery Plan.
- Been raising awareness of the toolkit to other VAWP’s.

In workshop 1 the partnership completed their ESAS self-assessment.

In workshop 2 we will support the partnership to:

- Reflect on their experience of developing their ESAS improvement plan, following workshop 1.
- Introduce them to our ESAS training resources.
- Develop a plan to roll the training out across East Dunbartonshire.

Access the toolkit here: https://zurl.co/S7GPv

28/09/2026

If you know a disabled adult who feels like they missed out on s*x and relationships education, this might be for them.

Pillow Talk Scotland is running the second year of S*x Ed for Grown Ups, an online course where disabled adults can learn and ask questions about relationships, s*xual health, disability and pleasure, and more.

The classes are a chance to “catch up” on s*x and relationships education, so no prior knowledge is needed.

The group is mixed gender and includes people with different disabilities and experiences. That mix was one of the things participants valued most in the first year.

The next course runs every Tuesday from 19 January to 9 March 2027, 5-6.30pm, online. BSL interpretation will be available at every session.

There are a number of funded places available on a first come, first served basis.

To find out more or check whether the course is right for you, email s*[email protected] or call 07312 100 504 (Monday-Wednesday).

More information: https://zurl.co/RF1HU

22/09/2026

Today SCLD and People First Scotland are in Port Glasgow delivering the first of three workshops to Inverclyde Violence Against Women Partnership (VAWP) on how to embed our gender-based violence and learning disability toolkit in their local Equally Safe delivery plans.

Today’s workshop will focus on using our self-assessment tool to:
• reflect on current practice
• assess whether local services are accessible to women with learning disabilities
• identify gaps in provision
• identify system wide gaps.

You can access the toolkit here: https://zurl.co/lOlYn

17/09/2026

SCLD, alongside other organisations, have signed a joint statement responding to the Scottish Government's decision not to proceed with the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill.

People with learning disabilities, autistic people, neurodivergent people, families and organisations have given their time, expertise and lived experience to help shape meaningful change. That work must not be lost.

We stand with our partners in calling for clear leadership from the First Minister and Scottish Government, and a clear plan for how the change our communities have been calling for will now be delivered.

Read our joint statement:https://zurl.co/xNQQv

National Autistic Society Scotland Pamis Down's Syndrome Scotland The Donaldson Trust Scottish Autism

16/09/2026

Today SCLD and People First Scotland are in Perth delivering the first of three workshops to Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership (VAWP) on how to embed our gender-based violence and learning disability toolkit in their local Equally Safe delivery plan.

For VAWP’s, the toolkit provides the evidence, structure and practical tools needed to improve access to support and justice for women with learning disabilities.

It strengthens local delivery of Equally Safe, improves multi-agency practice, and ensures that Scotland’s response to gender-based violence includes all women.

You can access the toolkit here: https://zurl.co/qHgpt

Inspiring Scotland

16/09/2026

Healthy homes, healthy futures, and equal lives

At SCLD our vision is for a Scotland where people with learning disabilities live full, safe, loving and equal lives. A healthy home is fundamental to that vision.

It should be warm, safe and accessible. But it should also be somewhere a person chooses to live. Somewhere they have privacy and control. Somewhere they can build relationships. Somewhere they can get the support they need. Somewhere that connects them to their community rather than separating them from it.

Healthy homes can help create healthy futures. But to make that true for people with learning disabilities, we have to stop treating housing, health and social care as separate services and start seeing the person, their life and their rights as a whole.

It starts with having a good home, enough money to live on, nutritious food, strong relationships, accessible information, good support, opportunities to participate in the community and control over the decisions that shape your life.

That is how we move from good intentions to accountability, from services to rights, and from promises on paper to rights made real in people’s everyday lives.

Read more:https://zurl.co/6W1yw

15/09/2026

SCLD welcomes the Scottish government statement and its strong commitment to tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms. We particularly welcome the focus on prevention and on challenging the attitudes and behaviours that underpin violence against women and girls.

We would, however, encourage the statement to give specific recognition to women with learning disabilities, who are at significantly higher risk of experiencing abuse and violence and can face additional barriers to prevention, reporting and accessing support. Recognising their experiences and needs would also reflect the Scottish Government and Parliament's commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including the responsibility to protect disabled women and girls from violence, exploitation and abuse. Their voices, experiences and expertise should be an integral part of our collective commitment to ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind in efforts to eradicate violence and abuse.

https://zurl.co/iW10k

14/09/2026

💜 Thank you for making unforgettable!

The stories shared, events hosted and pledges made show the strength of our community and the change we can create together.

This doesn’t end here – now it’s over to us to keep our pledges and turn words into action!

Together we WILL build a Scotland where everyone belongs.

🌐 Visit our website to keep involved year-round. https://zurl.co/PKezn

13/09/2026

💬 We want to hear from you!

may be ending, but your reflections and stories help to keep the conversation going.

What inspired you this week?

Tell us in the comments:
• A highlight from this week 🌟
• Something new you learned 🧠
• How you’ll keep celebrating inclusion 💜

Drop your thoughts in the comments and lets celebrate all we have achieved.


Enable Down's Syndrome Scotland West of Scotland Branch Pamis Project Ability

13/09/2026