Scottish Labour leadership candidate Anas Sarwar outlines policies to improve the life chances of disabled people.
He said the Covid pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on disabled people which must be urgently addressed.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s hustings for disabled members and allies, Mr Sarwar said disabled people should not only be involved in the decisions about their lives, but also be in the rooms where decisions happen.
He outlined a series of commitments, including:
- A target that 10 per cent of new-build housing is fully accessible
- All new public transport should be accessible.
- A National Care Service free at the point of delivery, based on human and workers’ rights, which recognises that social care is an embedment – it creates jobs, and, when done well, can support users to participate in society, including employment, and lead ordinary lives.
- Adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into Scots law, as called for by the ALLIANCE and Inclusion Scotland.
- Internships for disabled people in the public sector, and a scheme to encourage the private sector, to help address the employment gap.
- A Shadow Minister for Disabled People.
Anas Sarwar MSP, Scottish Labour leadership candidate, said: “The pandemic has had a devastating and disproportionate impact on disabled people.
“It has exposed deep-rooted inequalities and inadequacies in our social care services.
“Human rights must be at the heart of our recovery, with policies that deliver greater equality and opportunity for all.
“What is crucial is that disabled people are not only involved in the decisions about their lives, but they are also in the rooms where decisions happen.
“That will be the approach I adopt if elected leader of Scottish Labour, and I will bring people together to ensure we have a recovery that improves the life chances of disabled people and leaves no one behind.”
