The first annual joint meeting between Cabinet and disabled
people has been held in Edinburgh today, placing their voices at
the heart of government policy-making.
The two-hour meeting was co-chaired by First Minister alongside the CEOs of Glasgow
Disability Alliance, Inclusion Scotland and Disability Equality
Scotland.
It was designed to bring disabled people's voices, expertise and
lived experience directly to the Cabinet table, enabling Disabled
People's Organisations to work alongside Scottish Ministers in
discussions on the persistent inequalities disabled people face
across areas such as employment, health, housing, transport and
access to public services.
The Cabinet discussion covered a range of topics including
disabled people's employment; access to tailored employability
support; accessible transport; financial support through the
Adult Disability Payment; social care and mental health.
First Minister said:
“Scotland must be a country where disabled people can live the
lives they choose - supported, empowered, and included every step
of the way.
“The Scottish Government is absolutely determined to do
everything in our power to advance disability equality within the
limits of our devolved powers – including through providing vital
financial and cost of living support to disabled people.
“But we are also determined to change the way in which disabled
people's voices shape government policy.
“So I am very proud that as of today, Scotland stands out as the
only nation in the UK that has committed to an event of this kind
with disabled people, a step that demonstrates clear national
leadership in embedding their experience at the heart of
decision‑making.
“I look forward to seeing the results of today's event in shaping
future policy and am determined that this should create a model
for how we work together in future.”
Heather Fisken, CEO at Inclusion Scotland said: “Disabled people
cannot access everyday services without additional support, and
services specifically designed for disabled people continue to be
cut. This all means disabled people continue to fall further
behind and cannot play their vital role in society. Today's event
has given the Scottish Cabinet a real opportunity to hear
directly from Disabled People's Organisations about what needs to
change."
Tressa Burke, CEO at Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “It is
right that the most senior politicians and decision makers in
Scotland have today met with the Disabled People-led
Organisations of Scotland because disabled people matter.
Austerity, the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crises have
fuelled poverty and inequalities which disproportionately affect
disabled people. Today, disabled leaders have had the chance to
tell Scotland's political leaders about the impacts of this
unfairness in terms of missed opportunities to work, to make
choices, to live independently and to contribute. Disabled people
and DPOs welcome this opportunity and look forward to an ongoing
dialogue and improved policies and actions to improve the lives
of disabled people in Scotland.”
Lyn Pornaro, Chief Executive Officer at Disability Equality
Scotland said: “The Cabinet Takeover today by disabled people has
been an opportunity to hear from disabled people. It has
been an opportunity to let disabled people in Scotland know that
their organisations are advocating for them, and that the
Scottish Government is listening. All topics spoken about
today, and many more, merge together to show the true meaning of
independent living. These conversations continue to share the
barriers to this and exploring the actions that need to be
taken.”
Background
The draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 commits a record £3.5 million
per year over the next three years to support disability
equality, inclusion and accessibility, including direct support
for Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs).
The Scottish Government committed to holding this event in its
Disability Equality Plan and
Programme for Government
2025-26.
