Disability Equality Scotland

29/07/2025

Our Training team worked with Adam at Wellcome Collection, supporting the production of accessible materials for this exhibition about DIY publishing and disability justice. It looks great, so if you are in London this summer, go and check it out!

25/07/2025

📅 Save the Date!

We are thrilled to announce our Annual Celebration Event and AGM is happening on Wednesday 29 October 2025 🎊

📍 Join us in person at P&J Live, Aberdeen
💻 Or online using Zoom

It is a day to celebrate our impact, connect with members, and look to the future.

More details coming soon, including how to book your place.

24/07/2025

💚 Today is Samaritans Awareness Day

Samaritans are here to listen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can call them for free on 116 123 from any phone.

22/07/2025

Disability hate crime in Scotland rose by 15% this year, with 1,069 charges recorded in 2024–25. This marks another year of increase, according to the latest Hate Crime in Scotland report.

This is the highest number ever recorded since the law began in 2010.

🔑 Key facts:
• 83% involved threatening or abusive behaviour.
• Most incidents happened in everyday places — streets, shops, and on public transport.
• Victims told us these crimes left them feeling anxious, unsafe, and shaken.

💙 More awareness, better reporting, and stronger support are vital to help disabled people feel safe and respected.

That’s why we continue promoting a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime with the Hate Crime Charter.

✅ Visit our Accessible Travel Hub for:
• More information about the Hate Crime Charter
• A list of all transport providers who have committed to it
• Advice on what to do if you experience or witness hate crime

🔗 https://accessibletravel.scot

21/07/2025

🎉 We are delighted to welcome Marit to the Disability Equality Scotland team!

Marit joins us as an Easy Read Creator and will help expand our translation service by making more documents accessible.

Easy Read is an accessible format that uses clear, simple language, shorter sentences, and helpful images.

Find out more about our Easy Read service: https://disabilityequality.scot/easy-read-service

18/07/2025

Due to last-minute cancellations, we have 2 places available on this summer Easy Read training!

It is just for small third sector organisations in Scotland.

We have secured funding to pay for part of this project. The cost for participants is £80 (80 pounds).

The training has 3 Zoom sessions and 1 hybrid session at our office in Edinburgh - we would love you to come to that one in person, but you can come along online if that's what works for you!

The training dates are:
- 19 August
- 26 August
- 2 September
- 9 September

from 10.30am to 12.30pm on each date.

To take part, your organisation must be a small charity or community group in Scotland.

To find out more, please email training@disabilityequality.scot

We look forward to working with you!

15/07/2025

“If I am included, I can work as long as I want.”

Everyone should have a right to communicate in a form they understand – to let them work where they want, for as long as they want.

Join the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland in calling for a right to communication for all because communication is about more than just words.

Our team has created Easy Read materials to help more people take part in the campaign. We are proud to partner with the ALLIANCE to make sure as many people as possible can join in.

https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/more-than-words-communication-for-all/

About the campaign Communication connects us, but we all communicate differently. Good, inclusive communication matters to everyone. It helps us live well and take part in our communities. It’s a little-known fact that most of us will need communication support at some point in our lives. However,...

11/07/2025

New research from Scope reveals the rising costs faced by disabled people.

Disabled households need an extra £1,095 every month just to reach the same standard of living as non-disabled households.

That shortfall is growing and proposed welfare cuts risk pushing even more people into poverty.

Read the full report: https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/disability-price-tag

10/07/2025

The newest Hate Crime in Scotland report (2024–25) shows that disability hate crime has gone up again this year.

To help address this, we support the Hate Crime Charter across Scotland’s public transport network. The Charter promotes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and encourages awareness, reporting, and safer journeys for all.

Learn about the latest stats and the Hate Crime Charter on our Accessible Travel Hub: https://accessibletravel.scot/disability-hate-crime-new-cops-figures/

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09/07/2025

We have made some important changes to our Easy Read materials. These improvements were guided by valuable feedback from our Easy Read User Feedback Group.

We made three key changes:
✅ Bigger pictures
✅ Real-life photos and drawings
✅ Put definitions of words in plain writing

Read our latest blog: https://inclusivecommunication.scot/easy-read-made-better-with-your-help

08/07/2025

Following the launch of the Scottish Government’s Disability Equality Plan, we are highlighting its importance and what must happen next.

This Plan was shaped by the voices of disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) across Scotland. It is the result of powerful collective campaigning through , led by Disability Equality Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, and Glasgow Disability Alliance.

Thanks to the support of thousands of disabled people and allies, the Scottish Government committed £2.5 million in additional funding for DPOs. The Plan also sets out steps to:
• Increase access to welfare rights and advice
• Tackle digital exclusion
• Put lived experience at the heart of decisions
• Strengthen accountability and partnerships with DPOs

The Plan is a starting point. We will be watching closely to make sure it leads to real, lasting change for disabled people across Scotland.

Read the Disability Equality Plan: https://www.gov.scot/publications/disability-equality-plan/

Our Easy Read team produced the Easy Read version of the Plan:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/disability-equality-plan-part-1-easy-read-version/

04/07/2025

Have your say on the future of transport in Renfrewshire!

The Local Transport Strategy is now open for consultation. It sets out proposed actions for the next 10 years.

🗓️ Closes Monday 28 July 2025

📍 View the strategy and complete the survey online:

Wide ranging consultation was carried out, seeking views from many individuals and groups from a wide variety of backgrounds who had an interest in transportation.