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Report explores the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities in Scotland

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 1st June 2021
Illustration of a desk scene, with a laptop displaying the word 'report' on the screen

The “Mostly a 10, but sometimes zero” report found people were mostly happy with their lives, but still face a number of issues.

The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) have published the second report in a series drawing on the findings of their 2019 “How’s Life?” national survey. This was the largest survey of people with learning disabilities in Scotland for over a decade, developed in partnership across the third sector.

“Mostly a 10, but sometimes a zero”: Exploring the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities in Scotland (this link will take you away from our website) found that people with learning disabilities generally report high life satisfaction, but are more likely to report very low satisfaction than the general population. This was particularly true amongst respondents with additional health conditions and/or disabilities, and younger people.

Some of the key issues found to negatively impact wellbeing were loneliness, having limited control over free time and not having support in place to facilitate choices, not being happy with where they lived, not having enough money, and not being treated with respect.

Amongst the recommendations the SCLD make for improving the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities are:

  • Incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRPD) into Scots Law.
  • Improve data collection regarding the experiences of people with learning disabilities.
  • Putting appropriate support and informed choice at the heart of social care.
  • Ensure access to high quality, appropriate housing.

You can read more about this report on the SCLD website (this link will take you away from our website). Additionally, there is an Easy Read version of the summary available (this link will take you away from our website).

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