- Increased investment as part of Disability Equality Plan
Additional funding of £500,000 will be delivered to strengthen
access to essential services and projects that disabled people
rely on.
It comes as a result of dialogue with Independent MSP on the best way to support
Disabled People's Organisations and follows his tireless
campaigning on behalf of disabled people throughout this
parliamentary session.
The additional investment will support our Improving Access Fund,
announced earlier this year as part of the Scottish Government's
Disability Equality Plan. This brings the total funding available
in the fund to £1.5 million.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said:
“We made it very clear when launching our Disability Equality
Plan that disabled people are a priority for the Scottish
Government.
“In order to deliver lasting change, we must improve access to
vital support and services. That's why the Scottish Government is
boosting the amount available via the Improving Access Fund. This
means we are committing to invest £3 million to support the
overall Disability Equality Plan and improve the lives of
disabled people across Scotland.
“We also recognise the vital role Disabled People's Organisations
play in working to support and empower disabled people, and so we
are committing to explore multi-year funding for those
organisations.”
Independent MSP said:
“I am proud to have worked with the Scottish Government to
deliver new money for disabled people in Scotland.
“This funding is a solid step in the right direction, but it must
not be the last step. I believe a wider debate needs to take
place on how best to support disabled people across into the next
parliament.
“Delivery of a multi-year funding deal is a welcome commitment.”
The Improving Access Fund will open for applications in autumn
this year.
Background
Disability Equality
Plan
