Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities

15/06/2026

Cake, conversations and celebrating 20 years of impact? Count us in!

It promises to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded organisations, stakeholders and partners, share ideas, celebrate achievements, and explore how we can continue creating positive change together.

We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. If you are considering attending, we'd encourage you to come along and be part of the conversation.

✨ 20:20 Vision – Celebrating 20 Years of Values Into Action Scotland ✨

For 20 years, Values Into Action Scotland has been championing inclusion, rights, independence, and opportunities for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people across Scotland.

Now it’s time to celebrate the journey, the impact, the people, and the future 💜

Join us for an inspiring event filled with reflection, connection, storytelling, and celebration as we look back on two decades of creating positive change and look ahead to what comes next.

This is more than an anniversary event. It’s a celebration of voices being heard, barriers being broken, communities becoming more inclusive, and the incredible people who have made it all possible.

Whether you’ve supported VIAS over the years, worked alongside us, accessed our services, or simply believe in a more inclusive future for everyone, we’d love for you to be part of this special occasion.

🎉 Let’s celebrate 20 years of impact together.
🎟️ Secure your place now via Eventbrite: https://loom.ly/Iwnu-94

10/06/2026

Pre-order your Activity Pack now.

Scottish Learning Disability Week takes place from 7–13 September 2026 and this year's theme is I Am Here… to be seen.

Our activity packs are full of resources, ideas and materials to help you get involved, start conversations and celebrate the week in your workplace, school, community group or organisation.

Pre-order your pack now and be ready to join in - together, we can help build a Scotland where everyone belongs.

https://zurl.co/9XePz

09/06/2026

Last week, SCLD’s CEO Bruce Adamson delivered a keynote session for School Leaders Scotland on the UNCRC, school leadership and the hopeful discipline of human rights.

The session explored how school leaders can place children’s rights at the heart of school culture, decision-making and relationships, particularly at a time of increasing pressure on public services. Bruce highlighted the importance of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, and the need to move children’s rights from legal principle into everyday practice in across school communities. Schools are among the most important human rights spaces in any community. They are not only places of learning; they are hubs of belonging, protection, participation and hope. Education is an accelerator right, it can help children claim every other right

Drawing on SCLD’s work to turn rights into reality for people with learning disabilities, Bruce reflected on the importance of inclusive design, accessible communication, meaningful participation and high expectations for every child. He emphasised that inclusion begins in childhood, and that schools play a vital role in helping children with learning disabilities experience belonging, dignity, voice and support.

The keynote also considered how school leaders can respond to systemic challenges while keeping children’s rights at the centre. Bruce argued that rights provide a leadership framework for dignity, relationships, decision-making, inclusion, accountability and hope. He highlighted the importance of recognising the diverse range of needs within the classroom, and the role of Scottish Learning Disability Week in raising awareness and driving change.

This remains a key part of our ongoing work to ensure that the rights of children and young people with learning disabilities are fully realised in practice.

05/06/2026

Scottish Learning Disability Week | 7–13 September 2026

I Am Here… to be seen

Being seen means more than being visible.

It means being listened to, included, valued and respected.

People with learning disabilities should be seen in classrooms, workplaces, healthcare settings, communities and decision-making spaces. Their voices should be heard, their strengths recognised and their rights realised in everyday life.

Scottish Learning Disability Week is an opportunity to celebrate achievements, challenge barriers and help build a Scotland where everyone belongs.

Today, John and Cameron received a warm welcome as they presented at Scottish Learning Disability Nurse Network Conference. They spoke about and why it is so important for people with learning disabilities to be seen in healthcare.

Rights only matter if they make a difference in everyday life.

Stay tuned for more as we build towards

04/06/2026

Great to be in Perth today with Rapporteur Sandy Stark, meeting with the REACH Nursing team. The REACH Nurses visit people who need kidney transplants to talk to them about living donation. Sandy talked about hospital standards tailored for people with learning disabilities and shared a version which could be used by the REACH Nurses when visiting people in their own homes. He gave the team guidance on communication and the different ways they could support people to understand the kidney transplant process. There was time at the end for an open discussion and Sandy fielded a range of questions.

02/06/2026

We're pleased to share details of an upcoming exhibition from Project Ability as part of Glasgow International 2026.

James Gladwell presents cross-stitched embroideries, which vary in scale and feature intricate, colourful images drawn from James’s life and experiences. A selection of the artists’ drawings on paper will also be on display.

Project Ability, Glasgow
5 June – 18 July 2026
Free admission

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet James during the opening weekend:

Friday 5 June, 2–4pm

Saturday 6 June, 2–4pm

Project Ability is also hosting a series of free embroidery workshops for adults and children, inspired by James’ artwork.

Find out more: https://zurl.co/AdSHE

01/06/2026

Do you know your rights?

Download the Human Rights Town App now and explore your rights!

Download for FREE from the App Store or Google Play and start your journey today.

https://zurl.co/ymxNJ

27/05/2026

⏳ Last chance to apply

There are now just a few days left to apply to become a Trustee at SCLD.

SCLD Trustee Kenneth says: “If you choose to join the board of the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities, you can look forward to working really closely with a fantastic board of committed trustees, a really brilliant team of staff and working with people with learning disabilities through our range of programmes.”

We’re looking for people who bring fresh perspectives, sound judgement and a passion for inclusion and human rights.

This is your opportunity to help shape a fairer Scotland where people with learning disabilities live full, safe, loving and equal lives.

📅 Application deadline: Sunday 31 May

👉 Find out more and apply: https://zurl.co/Qc8tp

22/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our Trustee Information Session yesterday. We hope you enjoyed meeting members of our Board and team and learning more about our work.

Ann Dougan, Chair of the Board of Trustees, shared what motivates her most about the role:

“Making a difference on something that really matters to people whose lives living with a learning disability should be equal and loving and enjoyable, the same as everyone else in our society.”

We’re incredibly grateful to those considering joining us on this journey, and we look forward to receiving your application.

20/05/2026

We had a great day attending the SUSE Annual Conference 2026, hearing from expert speakers and taking part in insightful workshops focused on workplace inclusion, digital accessibility, and reducing barriers to employment.

It was particularly valuable to hear practical examples and research being shared across the sector, alongside the opportunity to connect with both familiar faces and new contacts.

We heard from Christy McFayden from the Fraser of Allander Institute about their research on the employment experience of people with learning disabilities and the role employers can play in reducing inequalities.

As well as hearing from Anna Ritchie Allan, Executive Director at Close the Gap, Scotland's policy advocacy organisation working to influence action to tackle the causes of women's inequality in the labour market.

We look forward to building on those conversations and continuing to work collaboratively to support more inclusive employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Scotland.