New fund to enhance access to vital services and support for
disabled people
A new fund launched today offers £1.5 million in grants for
projects designed to break down barriers and strengthen services
that disabled people depend on.
The Improving Access Fund is a key part of the Scottish
Government's £3 million Disability Equality Plan. Jointly
designed with Disabled People's Organisations, the Fund will
provide grants for projects that improve access to essential
services and promote independent living, choice, and
participation.
It will focus on three priorities:
- Accessible financial advice and support
- Inclusive participation in communities and everyday life
- Better mental health and wellbeing.
Minister for Equalities said:
“Scotland should be a country where disabled people can live the
lives they choose - supported, empowered, and included every step
of the way.
“Today's launch of our Improving Access Fund is a really
important step towards that – it has been designed with disabled
people, for disabled people.
“Through our Disability Equality Plan, we are making a clear
commitment: disabled people are a priority for the Scottish
Government. By investing £3 million in this work, we are
strengthening access to the services and support that enable
independence, choice, and participation.
“In contrast, disabled people in Scotland remain deeply concerned
about the potential effects of planned UK Government welfare
reforms. We call on the UK Government to abandon these damaging
proposals and to follow the Scottish Government's lead in
investing in and enhancing the social security safety net, rather
than tearing it apart.”
Heather Fisken, CEO of Inclusion Scotland said: "Disabled
People's Organisations are led by disabled people ourselves and
know best what needs to change. For too long our organisations
have had to shift shape to 'fit' with funders' missions and
requirements, missing out on critical funding to keep our
organisations running and to make the changes desperately needed
so that disabled people are empowered in their own lives. The
Improving Access Fund is different because it targets Disabled
People's Organisations and DPOs helped to design it."
Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “Our
survey of 756 disabled members found 91% are deeply concerned
about equality and human rights, feeling under attack and
de-prioritised. This has led to poverty, exclusion, poorer mental
health, and reduced participation in daily life. Glasgow
Disability Alliance and our members welcome the Improving Access
Fund, which will advance equality, independent living, choice,
and participation.”
Lyn Pornaro, CEO of Disability Equality Scotland said: “Disabled
people demand justice and access to services, buildings, events
and public bodies – in the same way as non-disabled people.
This fund is a starting point to improving access to the key
areas of focus in the Disability Equality Plan and, most
importantly, in the lives of disabled people daily.”
Background
Disability Equality
Plan
The Fund is being administered by Inspiring Scotland and more
details are available here
The Fund aims to advance disability equality by supporting
peer-led initiatives that align with the Disability Equality Plan
and underpin the social model of disability and contribute to
disabled people having increased independent living, choice and
participation.
Outcomes will include:
-
Greater financial security for disabled
households through accessible advice, income-boosting
initiatives, and efforts to reduce the disability price tag.
-
Improved digital access and skills, enabling
fuller participation in civic and economic life.
-
Expanded inclusion and representation, with
disabled people better able to access services and influence
decisions that affect them.
-
Enhanced mental wellbeing, through safe,
accessible support spaces and programmes that challenge stigma
and discrimination
