1. Make travel easier
Thanks to the National Entitlement Card, people with disabilities in Scotland continue to be able to travel for free on local and long-distance buses across the country.
The Scottish Government has also extended the discounted bus pass for carers of eligible disabled children aged under 5.
2. A new social security system, centered on dignity and respect
We have implemented a new social security system that sees social security as an investment in our people, not as an obstacle.
A far cry from the shameful language of Westminster and the Tories’ decade of social cuts, Scotland‘s new system puts people first.
We have also ensured that in Scotland, disability support assessments are carried out in the public sector and not in the private sector, as in many parts of the UK.
3. Introducing Disabled Adult Payment
From Spring 2022, the Adult Disability Payment will replace the Personal Independence Payment for disabled people of working age in Scotland – a milestone in the development of Scotland’s social security system.
Next year we will launch our new Adult Disability Payment, which will replace the Personal Independence Payment, and begin transferring around 300,000 Scottish customers to our new benefit. pic.twitter.com/0XrhrGba94
— Scottish Gov Fairer (@ScotGovFairer) September 23, 2021
4. Disabled child payment
Scottish Child Disability Payment is now open for applications across the country. This is the first of the complex disability benefits to be introduced nationally by the Scottish Government.
The new payment provides financial assistance to help cover additional costs associated with a disability and replaces the UK government’s Disability Living Allowance.
5. Help people live with freedom, choice and independence
We continue to fund the Independent Living Fund in Scotland, after the UK government decided to close it in 2015.
The fund enables people with disabilities with significant support needs to choose to live in their community and is a key part of safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities to live independently.
And we are easing the cruel Tory room tax, which would have hit 70,000 households, 80% of them with a disabled family member.
🛑 Under the SNP, no one in Scotland has to pay the Tory Bedroom Tax.
🏡 We are protecting 70,000 households, 80% of which have a disabled family member, from the callous accusation the Tories have tried to impose on Scotland.
🏴 #DeliveringForScotland: https://t.co/ee4BAqdeYh pic.twitter.com/PWC7VAHSKF
— The SNP (@theSNP) March 21, 2021
6. Create more accessible places
We want to give people with disabilities greater and more meaningful involvement in the design of policies and services – including housing, transport and the wider physical and cultural environment.
We help local councils build more accessible homes, and although our building regulations for accessibility in new homes are already the best in the UK, we want to go even further.
7. Reduce barriers to employment
We are committed to reducing barriers to employment for people with disabilities – setting targets to increase the number of people with disabilities employed in public sector workplaces and introducing a work experience program for young people with disabilities.
We’re also removing barriers to learning access for people with disabilities – offering young people with disabilities the highest level of funding for modern learning they choose.
Scotland’s new back-to-work programs have already helped 5,527 people with disabilities or long-term illnesses.
🔍 Find out more: https://t.co/IJCPCBwQrT pic.twitter.com/A4T6Ekm9Ae
— The SNP (@theSNP) August 17, 2018
8. Protect the rights of people with disabilities
We are committed to ensuring that all people with disabilities can exercise their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and we have established our delivery plan to find out how to achieve this.
9. Empower people with disabilities to fully participate as active citizens
It is essential to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of daily and public life in Scotland.
We’ve created a fund to support people with disabilities who want to run for office, and we’ve set equality targets in government to help more people with disabilities sit on the boards of organizations.
10. Promote and strengthen BSL (British Sign Language)
In 2017, the Scottish Government also launched the first National BSL Action Plan – the first of its kind in the UK.
Among other things, it enables more students to choose to learn BSL at school, research ways to provide BSL information at transport hubs, and strengthen the BSL/English interpreting profession. .
🎥MSPs sworn in at Holyrood this morning
🗣Several languages are used, including Gaelic, German, Arabic and Zimbabwean Shona
👋🏻Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP @KarenAdamSNP made their claim using BSL pic.twitter.com/7fMSUGzmzw
– MFR News and Sport (@MFRNews) May 13, 2021