What we’re calling for

The Commissioner would be a powerful champion of change, empowered by the lived experience of people who have a learning disability and autistic people, and the data available about their lives.

The Commissioner would work with public bodies to improve access to their human rights, and to help build a more inclusive Scotland.

Whilst we have an extensive and well intentioned existing policy, legislative and regulatory framework, the evidence available suggests that the system all too frequently, and persistently, fails to enable the human rights of citizens who have a learning disability and/or autism through education, health, social care and community services. Covid-19 has brought this into sharp focus. Scotland can, and must, do better.

A Commissioner, informed by lived experience, would help to close the accountability gap by working across public bodies and existing regulators to focus on the experiences and needs of people who have a learning disability and autistic people.

They would improve the visibility of this population, and make sure that their experiences inform better access to additional support in education and employment; to self-directed social care support to live independently in the community of their choice; to good quality housing and healthcare; and to independent advocacy to ensure that their voices are in control of their lives.

Our Voice Our Rights campaign was led by a Leadership Team of autistic people and people with a learning disability.