Glasgow Disability Alliance launches its Holyrood election manifesto.
Members of Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) came out in force to press home their demands to politicians on the eve of the Scottish Parliament elections.
They want the new intake of MSPs at Holyrood to create a system which protects and respects some of the most vulnerable members of society.
This is in contrast to the Westminster government which has presided over major cuts to welfare benefits, vital services and rights which disabled people need to live an ordinary life.
At a gathering of members on Glasgow Green, GDA members unveiled a manifesto asking the Scottish Government to work with disabled people to co-produce the new social security system and abolish community care charges while protecting social care funding.
There are almost 150,000 disabled people in Glasgow and they disproportionately experience exclusion and under attainment
They also want to see investment in disabled people led organisations offering peer support and social connections and support programmes which enable disabled people to make contributions to volunteer, learn and work.
Tressa Burke, chief executive of GDA, said: “The manifesto launch was a celebration of a consensus amongst thousands of members across Glasgow, that disabled people want to work with others to progress a more equal and just Scotland.
“Much progress has been made but we are not complacent - more must be done. There are almost 150,000 disabled people in Glasgow and they disproportionately experience exclusion and under attainment across the whole range of life opportunities.
“They frequently feel voiceless and powerless- even in their own lives. They are more likely to live in poverty, experience health inequalities and bear the brunt of welfare reform and austerity measures. They also frequently lack access to services to support their rights to participate in society and make a contribution”
Angela Mullen, GDA’s convenor, said: “With the launch of our new manifesto, we demonstrated the power of listening to disabled people’s voices and working alongside us to create a fairer society.
“GDA has the leadership and the ambition to make sure that disabled peoples’ voices are heard and our members are mobilising to promote the positive contributions that disabled people can make, with the right support and connections.”
Meanwhile, GDA is holding a hustings event at 10.15am on Friday (29 April) at the Radisson Hotel, Argyle Street, Glasgow.
