Welcome Scotland’s Disabled People’s 1st Annual Summit   Getting our Rights right – Finding the way to disabled people’s human rights and equality in Scotland www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Stephen Naysmith Opening remarks from Summit Chair www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

A Rights State Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE Getting our Rights Right 1st Annual Disabled People’s Summit 3rd December, 2015 A Rights State Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE

Background Today is the 1st Annual Disabled People’s Summit in Scotland The Scottish Government wants a fairer, more equal and socially just Scotland What one might call – “A Right State” Today, we’re asking you – Is that the Scotland you know?

A State of Perma-austerity We’ve all heard about the need for cuts in public expenditure But we must ask ourselves, politicians, government officials, our allies, as well as disabled people; Are we doing it in the RIGHT WAY?

A State of Perma-austerity Have all of these cut- backs in welfare and social care been done fairly? Are we living in a fair, just and equitable state?

But please remember! Disabled people have rights, even if they are not yet the reality they should be These rights are obligations – they are not discretionary

Rights to Reality The trouble is these rights seldom become reality. What we really need from today is not commitments to listen or to look into things But commitments to do things and to show that they have been done!

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) The SG's Draft Delivery Plan (2016-2020) Today, we’re talking about how the Scottish Government plans to deliver opportunities which would, they say, enable disabled people to exercise their rights under the UNCRPD Remember, though, it can only deliver that which is within it’s devolved powers Although, with the coming of the Scotland Act, these powers will increase, e.g. certain welfare benefits will become devolved to Scotland

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) The SG's Draft Delivery Plan (2016-2020) Disabled people and their organisations have been working with the Scottish Government, not just on their draft plan, but in other particular areas such as housing, social work and health So you must appreciate that to some extent we have already been given a ‘listening ear’ All we can hope for is that the ‘listening ear’ can make the many ‘hands’ of government work to our benefit

A Listening Ear But today that ‘listening ear’ is listening to you Generally, disabled people haven’t been used to such an opportunity But today will be different Today is designed to give disabled people a genuine opportunity to tell the Scottish Government exactly what the reality of living in an unfair, unequal society really is

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) The SG's Draft Delivery Plan (2016-2020) The Scottish Government say they want four outcomes for this plan: Disabled people should have equal and inclusive communication and access to: The physical and cultural environment, transport and suitable, affordable housing Healthcare provision and support for independent living Education, paid employment and appropriate income and support whether in or out of work The justice system without fear of being unfairly judged or punished, and with protection of personal and private rights.

1st Disabled People’s Summit I’m not going to say much, if anything, about the UNCRPD or the Scottish Government’s delivery plan My role is to put today’s discussion within the context of what’s happening to disabled people under the extremities of the austerity cuts In welfare, social care, housing, transport,education, employment, etc.

Pope Francis “Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that create huge inequalities.”

Bullingdon George I welcome the recent U-turn on working tax credits This will help many disabled people who work for very low wages. But I must ask, where were these voices, some very loud and powerful voices, when the UK Government cut disability benefits?

Impact of Welfare Reform The Centre for Welfare Reform estimates that in England the combination of cuts in benefits AND services announced in the last Parliament will mean that: People in poverty will lose an average of £2,195 per year - 5 times more than the burden placed on the average citizen. Disabled people will lose an average of £4,410 per year - 9 times more than the burden placed on the average citizen. People with severe disabilities, in need of daily care, will lose an average of £8,832 per year - 19 times the burden

Consequences Growing numbers forced to use food banks Rapid reduction in social care services Growing crises in health care services as social care diminishes Growing number of deaths (910,000)among those just newly assessed as ‘fit for work’ and taken off benefits Increased personal debt Increased mental health problems Increased family breakdown Growing inequality

Nadia Clarke: My Rights, 2013 http://www. centreforwelfarereform “I worry about the future as I have been told that my funding may not be enough for me to have the right amount of support to enable me to live my life.”

1st Disabled People’s Summit This Summit is not about making new rights These already exist in the UNCRPD and Equality Act, But they are not always delivered as intended through every policy or service. It’s about halting their incessant clawback by both local and central governments It’s about making progress to ensure disabled people enjoy the rights they have.

Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 This is the 20th anniversary of the DDA Disabled people had been campaigning for this for almost 20yrs Like the UNCRPD, the DDA was developed by, with and for disabled people. The DDA gave disabled people a number of rights, including not to be discriminated against Unfortunately, the DDA has now been watered down by the Equality Act 2010

Dame Jane Campbell of Surbiton The lady in the front middle of the last picture is Dame Jane Campbell of Surbiton who was one of the main campaigners for the 1995 Act. I can only end this presentation today By repeating what she has recently said on this, the 20th Anniversary of the 1995 Act:

Dame Jane Campbell of Surbiton “My message to disabled people today and in the future is not only to remember that you are enjoying the fruits of our labour and outrage, but to think about what needs to be done next. Our liberation is just beginning. There is so much to achieve.”

Thank you for your time Jim Elder-Woodward

National Director for EHRC Scotland Alastair Pringle National Director for EHRC Scotland www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

There will now be a short comfort break www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

The View From Here – Question and Answers on the Draft Delivery Plan for the UNCRPD Panel Emma Ritch Dennis Robertson Jason Leitch Nick Watson Sally Witcher www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Stephen Naysmith Morning summary from Summit Chair www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

There will now be a lunch break. End of morning session There will now be a lunch break. Lunch will be served in the Strathblane Hall Exhibitors will be in the main foyer A short film about the 20th Anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act will be in the Lomond Suite www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Stephen Naysmith Welcome back from Summit Chair www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Purple Poncho Players “CHANGE THE WAY” www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment Marco Biagi MSP Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

There will now be a short comfort break Tea and coffee will be served in this room. www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

UNCRPD: The Scottish Government’s Draft Delivery Plan (2016-2020) Hilary Third Equality Policy Manager Scottish Government Equality Unit

SG comments on the convention in 2010: “… The Scottish Government welcomes the Convention and is approaching its implementation enthusiastically…” “…The input of disabled people is critical in making the Convention a success…”

The draft delivery plan: Sets out a shared long-term vision Describes where we are now (briefly) Includes more than 50 commitments in key policy areas We will publish a final plan in summer 2016

Compiling a report of what we already do X Making change happen √ NOT Compiling a report of what we already do X

Striving for continuous improvement √ NOT Thinking it’s good enough as it is X

Seeing disability as central to all our work √ NOT An add-on, a tick box, an optional extra X

Using UNCRPD as an additional lever for change √ NOT Starting all over again X

Being smart and agile, identifying best opportunities and approaches to make change happen √ NOT A one size fits all approach X

Fair and inclusive access to: environment, transport and housing health, support & disabled children education, employment and income Justice Delivering change: participation inclusive communication awareness of disabling barriers

Key commitments include: A national plan for accessible travel greater support for disabled young people to find and keep jobs (better) delivery of new social security system that treats disabled people with dignity Action to address disability hate crime

Participation Commitment to co-production (participation, community empowerment, representation) Inclusive Communication - An SG-wide priority under the Public Sector Equality Duty, with a range of actions underway Removing barriers accessible design, accessible websites, accessible tourism (events) attitudinal barriers (One Scotland)

Commitment to on-going dialogue to develop firm actions in: - accessible housing disabled people’s participation in sport legal aid for disabled people violence against disabled women & girls

What next? Four month (interactive) consultation We will use feedback to strengthen commitments and fill gaps We will publish a final plan in summer 2016

“At the heart of the Scottish Government’s approach to tackling inequalities and delivering a strong economy is our ambition to create a stronger and more equal Scotland. We want to create a successful society where there are opportunities for all to flourish and where the barriers to equality of opportunity and independent living are removed.” Ministerial Foreword

Thank you for your time Hilary Third

Locations of workshops THIS ROOM: Rights to access the built environment and housing Rights to participate in culture and sport Rights to health and social care Rights of disabled children Rights to employment opportunities and income TINTO ROOM: Rights to equal recognition before the law and access to justice 10. Transport accessibility SOUTRA ROOM: 7. Rights to communication and access to communication LOMOND FOYER: 8. Rights of disabled women 9. Duties to raise awareness about disabled people’s rights

Workshop Questions Question 1: What do you think about the actions in the Scottish Government’s draft Delivery Plan for your workshop? Question 2: What do you think is missing? Question 3: What three practical actions would improve your workshop theme? (Think about what, who, where, when and how)

Stephen Naysmith Afternoon summary from Summit Chair www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne.   CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my jo, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. (Chorus)   And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp! and surely I’ll be mine! And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. (Chorus)   We twa hae run about the braes, and pu’d the gowans fine; But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit, sin auld lang syne. (Chorus)   And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere! and gie's a hand o’ thine! And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught, for auld lang syne. (Chorus)

Evaluation We invite everyone to take one sweet from either a clear or a red jar. ‘Did you get a chance to say what else needs to be done to make sure disabled people have their rights?’ Yes – take a sweet from the clear jar No – take a sweet from the red jar. www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight

Goodbye and thanks for coming Image provided by iStock www.ilis.co.uk #RightsRight