Scotland’s first national Learning Disability Awards

Life for people with learning disabilities in Scotland is changing. Just a couple of generations ago, you may have been locked away in a large institution. Even a generation ago, you would have probably had to stay in the family home, with your participation in society limited to attending day care. Today, people with learning disabilities are increasingly demonstrating - often against the odds - that they have far more to contribute. But as recent research commissioned by SCLD shows, cultural barriers to achieving true potential is still a major issue for people. Whether in the workplace, as individuals, or as members of their local community, we see time and again that people with learning disabilities are under-estimated, under-represented and sometimes actively discriminated against. Our 2016 reports show that only 7-25% of people with learning disabilities in Scotland are in employment, compared to the national employment rate of 73%. Between 40-60% of children born to parents with learning disabilities do not remain in the family home. People with learning disabilities face a significantly higher risk of experiencing hate crime, and are less likely to report it.

Awards will highlight the true potential of people with learning disabilities and those who support them

It is important that we produce this evidence, communicate it clearly, and use it to challenge, learn and change, because there are up to 125,000 people with learning disabilities in Scotland, and they deserve better. However, we also understand that in the media, in culture and in mainstream society in general, people with learning disabilities are very rarely represented at all. When they are, it’s often through the lens of welfare, discrimination, health inequalities and poverty. It can feel disheartening to be portrayed in such a negative light, especially when the opportunity to have your experience shared at all is rare. We want to challenge injustice and inequality, but we don’t want to perpetuate this consistently negative, and often skewed narrative about the lives of people with learning disabilities. That’s why this year we’re using Scotland’s national Learning Disability Week to highlight the true potential of people with learning disabilities and those who support them. As the host of Scotland’s first ever national Learning Disability Awards, SCLD is honoured to be providing a positive platform to those who may struggle to find one otherwise. The Awards are a real opportunity for people with learning disabilities to have their talents recognised, to build beneficial partnerships with organisations that can offer support and guidance, and to act as role models for others across the country who don’t believe that they can surpass expectations and forge their own path in life. With awards for people with learning disabilities who are passionate about creativity, sport or social entrepreneurship, working life as employees, as well as awards for frontline workers and family carers who are giving back to others in transformative ways, we want to make sure that no matter how someone is participating in their chosen field, their unique contribution is valued. The Learning Disability Awards offer a rare chance to explore the all too often hidden talents of people with learning disabilities and the impact they are having in their communities. We’re really excited about that. Please join us on the journey. Find out more and apply on the SCLD website. The Awards close for nominations at 5pm on Monday 6 March 2017. Chris Creegan, is CEO at Scottish Commission for Learning Disability.