Jason lives in Glasgow and is studying drama. He talks about some of the challenges he found growing up as an autistic person, including bullying at school as well as his aspirations for the future and why attitudes need to change.

Jason

Jason lives in Glasgow and is studying drama. He talks about some of the challenges he found growing up as an autistic person, including bullying at school as well as his aspirations for the future and why attitudes need to change.

Lucy is from Bearsden in East Dunbartonshire and first got involved with ENABLE Scotland as an ACE (Active Community of Empowered People who have learning Disabilities) youth member seven years ago. She was elected chair of ACE youth in 2016. Lucy says what she likes about ACE and ACE Youth is that there is a sense of family and support if you ever need it. As the chair of ACE Youth, Lucy likes seeing young people thrive and achieve lots of amazing things - making a difference in the lives of young people who have a learning disability.

Lucy

Lucy is from Bearsden in East Dunbartonshire and first got involved with ENABLE Scotland as an ACE (Active Community of Empowered People who have learning Disabilities) youth member seven years ago. She was elected chair of ACE youth in 2016. Lucy says what she likes about ACE and ACE Youth is that there is a sense of family and support if you ever need it. As the chair of ACE Youth, Lucy likes seeing young people thrive and achieve lots of amazing things - making a difference in the lives of young people who have a learning disability.

Peter is a long standing member of ENABLE Scotland and lives in Glasgow. He is a member of ENABLE Glasgow branch board, also a member of ENABLE Scottish Council. Peter enjoys attending his local ACE group which is an Active Community of Empowered People who have learning Disabilities. Peter enjoys helping at swimming club and is also a committee member of the Glasgow taxis outing fund which takes children with additional support needs on the annual taxis outing to Troon. Peter is a proven campaigner and has campaigned a lot on the subject of bullying, this included Peter making a film about his life to share with others and break down barriers and stigma.

Peter

Peter is a long standing member of ENABLE Scotland and lives in Glasgow. He is a member of ENABLE Glasgow branch board, also a member of ENABLE Scottish Council. Peter enjoys attending his local ACE group which is an Active Community of Empowered People who have learning Disabilities. Peter enjoys helping at swimming club and is also a committee member of the Glasgow taxis outing fund which takes children with additional support needs on the annual taxis outing to Troon. Peter is a proven campaigner and has campaigned a lot on the subject of bullying, this included Peter making a film about his life to share with others and break down barriers and stigma.

Stuart is a well known broadcaster and father to Jack who is autistic and currently in school. Stuart talks about his worries and aspirations for the future and why he believes a Commissioner would be a hugely positive step forward for Scotland.

Stuart Cosgrove

Stuart is a well known broadcaster and father to Jack who is autistic and currently in school. Stuart talks about his worries and aspirations for the future and why he believes a Commissioner would be a hugely positive step forward for Scotland.

Suzanne and her son Callum live in Dunfermline. She shares her experience as a mother raising Callum, who is autistic and has a learning disability. The family have struggled over the months with the lock down having seen support withdrawn. She also talks about her and Callum's aspirations as well as why more resource and coordination is needed across services.

Suzanne and Callum

Suzanne and her son Callum live in Dunfermline. She shares her experience as a mother raising Callum, who is autistic and has a learning disability. The family have struggled over the months with the lock down having seen support withdrawn. She also talks about her and Callum's aspirations as well as why more resource and coordination is needed across services.

My name is Jasmine. I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD from a relatively young age, but I continued to struggle with prejudice throughout primary and secondary school; inevitably culminating into "dropping out" at 16. Outside of a stigmatic environment, and with a vital support system, I have had the opportunity to live with only the barriers I myself place. I am enthusiastic about recognising the misgivings within the education system and ensuring that luck is not the foundation that is so heavily relied on. Besides advocacy, I enjoy reading and writing. Currently I am studying English Linguistics and English Literature at the University of Glasgow.

Jasmine

My name is Jasmine. I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD from a relatively young age, but I continued to struggle with prejudice throughout primary and secondary school; inevitably culminating into "dropping out" at 16. Outside of a stigmatic environment, and with a vital support system, I have had the opportunity to live with only the barriers I myself place. I am enthusiastic about recognising the misgivings within the education system and ensuring that luck is not the foundation that is so heavily relied on. Besides advocacy, I enjoy reading and writing. Currently I am studying English Linguistics and English Literature at the University of Glasgow.

My name is Kate and I am a parent. My son is severely autistic and has learning disabilities. My experience of trying to get appropriate education and care in Aberdeenshire has been so brutal that I founded a families support and advocacy group ‘Because We Matter’. This came out of a conversation with a few other people in the North East who shared our traumatic experience. One parent said ‘they treat us as if we just don’t matter’...hence the name. It is now a rapidly-growing, widespread support network with connections to many families and other third sector organisations across Scotland. It remains largely ‘underground’ as many of our families are concerned about openly challenging local authorities. My biggest passion remains trying to get some degree of accountability, into local government, for supported individuals.

Kate

My name is Kate and I am a parent. My son is severely autistic and has learning disabilities. My experience of trying to get appropriate education and care in Aberdeenshire has been so brutal that I founded a families support and advocacy group ‘Because We Matter’. This came out of a conversation with a few other people in the North East who shared our traumatic experience. One parent said ‘they treat us as if we just don’t matter’...hence the name. It is now a rapidly-growing, widespread support network with connections to many families and other third sector organisations across Scotland. It remains largely ‘underground’ as many of our families are concerned about openly challenging local authorities. My biggest passion remains trying to get some degree of accountability, into local government, for supported individuals.