​Tressa Burke discusses Glasgow Disability Alliance's approach to supporting the disabled community.

Thus far we've outlined the barriers that disabled people face when it comes to democratic renewal. Voicelessness, powerlessness, negative attitudes, lack of belonging and the ways services are designed all make it difficult for disabled people to participate in society.

However we've also highlighted some of the things we can all do to support disabled people to get involved – assistance with finding and using their voice, challenging stereotypes, reaching out, seeking creative solutions, and much more.

At the heart of this support is a human-rights based approach, and we believe a human rights based approach is central to democracy.

A human-rights based approach means giving people greater opportunities to participate in shaping the decisions that impact on their human rights – exactly what we are passionate about here at GDA.

The underlying principles of a human-rights based approach include participation, accountability, equality and non-discrimination. Human-rights based approaches celebrate kindness and humanity and the role human rights play in a civil society.

We're working hard to transform attitudes, behaviours, policies and the external environment so that disabled people can fully participate in society.

But we need your help!

Let's build on this shift in power, this new culture of conversation and collaboration and work together for a fairer Scotland for all.

Tressa Burke is chief executive of Glasgow Disability Alliance