Ministers' disability action plan goes out to consultation

An action plan to help Scotland meet United Nations Convention standards in relation to disabled people was launched by the Scottish Government today.

The draft delivery plan for 2016-2020, prepared in consultation with disabled people, contains 54 proposed commitments intended to help Scotland meet the requirements of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Topics covered include healthcare and support; welfare changes; access to transport and housing; communication needs; and disabled children and young people. Ministers want to achieve the outcome that disabled people have equal access to the "physical and cultural environment", which includes transport and housing; healthcare provision and support for independent living; education, employment and income support; and the justice system.

Launching the plan in Glasgow today, Communities Minister Marco Biagi said: “I would encourage everyone to consider our draft delivery plan carefully and respond to the consultation document so that together we can make this the strongest plan of action for disabled people across these islands.

“We want to work with disabled people over the months and years ahead, to remove disabling barriers and enable them to enjoy equal access to full citizenship, so that they can maximise their potential and add to the success and prosperity of our country."

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has also launched a local government disability plan alongside the Scottish Government’s plan, and developed in conjunction with it.

Click here to access the consultation documents. Responses are invited until 4 January 2016.