Around one fifth of Scotland’s population – that’s one million people – define themselves as disabled. Yet disabled people often experience higher levels of inequality compared to their non-disabled peers.
Only about 50% of disabled people of working age are in work compared to 80% of non-disabled people of working age.
Employment rates vary greatly according to the type of impairment a person has. People with a mental health condition considered a disability have the lowest employment rate of all impairment categories (21%). The employment rate for people with learning disabilities is 26%.
Disabled people are more than twice as likely as non-disabled people to have no qualifications (26% compared to 10%).
Hate crime statistics for 2013-14 reveal a 12% rise in offences aggravated by prejudice relating to disability. This can be attributed in part to an increased confidence among disabled people to report crimes. But disabled people’s organisations agree that this type of hate crime is still significantly underreported.
We’re firmly committed to equality for disabled people and strive to create a Scotland that is fair and inclusive for all.
The Scottish Government’s Draft Disability Delivery Plan. This draft plan sets out our aim to removing barriers and enabling disabled people to enjoy equal access to citizenship. Over 50 commitments will help us deliver the four outcomes and three cross cutting themes that will bring about change to disabled people. We will consider the views of disabled people on this approach and finalise our plan in 2016.
