Improving Access Fund launched

New fund to enhance access to vital services and support for disabled people

A new fund launched today offers £1.5 million in grants for projects designed to break down barriers and strengthen services that disabled people depend on.

The Improving Access Fund is a key part of the Scottish Government’s £3 million Disability Equality Plan. Jointly designed with Disabled People’s Organisations, the Fund will provide grants for projects that improve access to essential services and promote independent living, choice, and participation.

Scotland should be a country where disabled people can live the lives they choose – supported, empowered, and included every step of the way.

Today’s launch of our Improving Access Fund is a really important step towards that – it has been designed with disabled people, for disabled people.

Through our Disability Equality Plan, we are making a clear commitment: disabled people are a priority for the Scottish Government. By investing £3 million in this work, we are strengthening access to the services and support that enable independence, choice, and participation.

In contrast, disabled people in Scotland remain deeply concerned about the potential effects of planned UK Government welfare reforms. We call on the UK Government to abandon these damaging proposals and to follow the Scottish Government’s lead in investing in and enhancing the social security safety net, rather than tearing it apart.

– MINISTER FOR EQUALITIES, KAUKAB STEWART

It will focus on three priorities:

Accessible financial advice and support
Inclusive participation in communities and everyday life
Better mental health and wellbeing.

Disabled People’s Organisations are led by disabled people ourselves and know best what needs to change. For too long our organisations have had to shift shape to ‘fit’ with funders’ missions and requirements, missing out on critical funding to keep our organisations running and to make the changes desperately needed so that disabled people are empowered in their own lives. The Improving Access Fund is different because it targets Disabled People’s Organisations and DPOs helped to design it.

Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “Our survey of 756 disabled members found 91% are deeply concerned about equality and human rights, feeling under attack and de-prioritised. This has led to poverty, exclusion, poorer mental health, and reduced participation in daily life. Glasgow Disability Alliance and our members welcome the Improving Access Fund, which will advance equality, independent living, choice, and participation.

– HEATHER FISKEN, CEO OF INCLUSION SCOTLAND

Background

Disability Equality Plan

The Fund is being administered by Inspiring Scotland and more details are available here

The Fund aims to advance disability equality by supporting peer-led initiatives that align with the Disability Equality Plan and underpin the social model of disability and contribute to disabled people having increased independent living, choice and participation.

Outcomes will include:

Greater financial security for disabled households through accessible advice, income-boosting initiatives, and efforts to reduce the disability price tag.
Improved digital access and skills, enabling fuller participation in civic and economic life.
Expanded inclusion and representation, with disabled people better able to access services and influence decisions that affect them.
Enhanced mental wellbeing, through safe, accessible support spaces and programmes that challenge stigma and discrimination

All funded activities will be underpinned by lived experience-led approaches and prioritise work that addresses intersectional barriers. The Fund will also generate learning about effective models for advancing disability equality.

The fund is for: