Tressa Burke argues one of the biggest injustices in our society is that disabled people still don't have the same freedom of expression as others

Last Saturday I said a few words at Scotland United Against Austerity. I told the good people attending what over 2,500 disabled members of Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) have told me: that disabled people lack the basic pillars of citizenship. The lack self determination, the ability to participate – even in their own lives – and the chance to make the contributions they very much want to make to their families, communities and wider society.

Many disabled people feel frustrated through being voiceless, having so much to say but being ignored or dismissed.

Having a voice, having a say in their own lives often feels like a distant dream for disabled people who frequently experience the indignity of being told what they can do, where to live, how to think. Simply put, they have no choice and control over their lives.

Combating voicelessness is not about talking for disabled people, it's about supporting disabled people to find their own voice

Tressa Burke

By the age of 26 a disabled person has less confidence then their non-disabled peers, they have poorer sense of well-being and less belief in their ability to shape their own future. This is GDA's experience, backed up by research from the Jospeh Rowntree Foundation.

As a part of a bigger shift in society, GDA is continuing to support disabled people to have choices, build connections and get the support they need to lives their lives. Finding their own voice is fundamental to this: disabled people have the right to express their opinions and to contribute to a society where their voices carry as much weight and importance as anybody else's.

As one of our members said: “Disabled people are very capable of making the decisions which are not often in their hands – they are often not even given a voice to air their views. Disabled people must be involved in all areas of society in order to show that we are all equal and can play a fulfilling role.”

Combating voicelessness is not about talking for disabled people. Sometimes it’s useful to share experiences and perspectives on behalf of others because so many people don’t understand how voiceless and powerless disabled people can be. But more importantly, it's about supporting disabled people to find their own voice and to use it with confidence to shape their own lives.

Tressa Burke is chief executive of Glasgow Disability Alliance