First Minister meeting For Scotland's Disabled Children (FSDC)

15/01/2008

Capability Scotland met with First Minister, Alex Salmond, in January.  The organisation is managing the For Scotland’s Disabled Children (FSDC) campaign , which aims to secure rights and justice for disabled children, young people and their families in Scotland.

Capability Scotland’s Campaigns, Parliamentary Affairs & Policy Manager, Faye Gatenby attended the meeting along with Ellenor Anwyl from Contact a Family, along with parents and  disabled young people. The group set out key priorities for the scottish government to tackle the social injustice  experienced by Scotland’s disabled children, young people and their families.  In particular they discussed the extra £34 million received by Scotland as part of this year’s financial settlement, a direct result of extra money allocated by Westminster to improve services for this group, and how the Government can lead the way in making sure this money goes directly to people who campaigned for it.  

You can read FSDCs full list of priorities on our briefing document here.

Faye Gatenby commented: “Disabled children, young people and their families in Scotland have not had a high enough priority on political and public agendas.  Without understanding and addressing the needs of these people the Government risks excluding them from the wealthier, and fairer, healthier, safer and stronger, smarter and greener country that we are all working towards.

“We hope that our meeting with the First Minister will make it clear to the Government what needs to be done to deliver equality and social justice in Scotland.  This is desperately needed by those families and individuals living with disability in Scotland. There has been some positive progress in Scotland in recent years, and we urge all Scotland’s politicians and policy- makers to make good the commitment to get it right for every child.”

FSDC is led by Capability Scotland, Contact a Family, CCNUK, Family Fund and the Scottish Society for Autism.

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