Promoting Equality, Rights and Social Justice for disabled people. Influencing policy, working for equality. Led by our 5500+ disabled members. SC03424
Glasgow
Joined November 2011
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Our manifesto for the Holyrood election on 7th May sets out what needs done to make a Fairer Scotland for Disabled People. GDA has 5 key asks for all candidates up for election to ensure disabled people have the same #Freedom & #Opportunity as non-disabled people.
Link in reply.
ALT Picture of the front cover of the GDA Manifesto for a Fairer Scotland for Disabled People 2026 Holyrood Elections. There is a colourful graphic of a group of people some of whom are wheelchair users and one has a service dog. Around the group are post it notes which say freedom, fairness, opportunities, adequate benefits, adequate accessible public services, fair work, participation, strengthen and uphold rights. The GDA logo is in the top left corner of the cover.
#DisabledPeopleChallengePoverty, GDA's Purple Poncho Players kick things off for us with a sketch on Public Sector Reform. News Reporter asks protestors what do disabled people think of reform? GDA member says: "health and social care services matter to disabled people"
ALT photograph of PPPs on stage, in the foreground you can see GDA members watching the show.
#DisabledPeopleChallengePoverty is underway! It's a full programme: #PPPs performance, the Minister for Equalities, disability benefits research & a great panel. Disabled people are twice as likely to face poverty: we need a system that supports us all, esp. when we need it most.
Everyone in Scotland, including disabled people, should be able to make ends meet. That’s why the social security system matters. Disabled people are twice as likely to face poverty, so we need a system that supports us all, especially when we need it most.
#CPW26
“It’s a common misconception that #DisabilityBenefits like ADP & PIP should be used to pay for social care, but that’s not true.[They] were set up to cover the extra costs... higher energy bills for heating & charging vital equipment like hoists ventilators & powered wheelchairs”
“It’s a common misconception that #DisabilityBenefits like ADP & PIP should be used to pay for social care, but that’s not true.[They] were set up to cover the extra costs... higher energy bills for heating & charging vital equipment like hoists ventilators & powered wheelchairs”
Glasgow Disability Alliance retweeted
“For families in receipt of a disability benefit, such as Adult Disability Payment, we continue to see a higher risk of poverty than for all families” @jrf_uk Oct 26. We need a system that supports us all, especially when we need it most. #DisabilityBenefits #CPW2026 #Prevention
Glasgow Disability Alliance retweeted
Excited to be with @GDA__online #Team #PPPs & supporters getting ready for “The Preventative role of #DisabilityBenefits and what else is need to tackle disabled ple’s poverty” with Minister Simita Kumar #GoingPlaces #CPW2026
ALT Copy of GdA event programme detailing the timings for the day and each component part: including arrival from 10am; access and housekeeping covered by Marianne Scobie at 10.25; GDA’s Purple Poncho players performance followed by thanks and reflections from Tressa Burke. GDA member film then Minister for Equalities and international development Simita Kumar and then GDA research highlights by Karen Wylie and Ramsay Meiklem. Then a comfort break followed by a panel discussion chaired by Angela O’Hagan chair of Scottish and rates commission. Panel members include Anna Ritchie Allan from Close the gap, Chris Birt from Joseph Rowntree foundation, Emma Jackson from citizens advice Scotland, Angus McIntosh from Castlemilk Law Cente.
We all want to stay connected to the people and places that matter to us. Disability Benefits like ADP help make it possible for many disabled people to stay well, maintain relationships and remain active in their communities. #CPW2026 #DisabilityBenefits #ADP
“When disability benefits meet the true costs that disabled people face, those costs don’t become barriers to living an ordinary life, in my case it’s just trying [to cover the cost of the train fares] to get to the physio” #GoingPlaces #CPW2026 #DisabilityBenefits #ADP
“When disability benefits meet the true costs that disabled people face, those costs don’t become barriers to living an ordinary life, in my case it’s just trying [to cover the cost of the train fares] to get to the physio” #GoingPlaces #CPW2026 #DisabilityBenefits #ADP
We all want to stay connected to the people and places that matter to us. #DisabilityBenefits like Motability help make that possible and form part of a preventative approach that values participation, dignity and belonging for many disabled people. #CPW2026
"Before we had a Motability car I couldn’t go places that weren’t near a bus stop. My car is a sanctuary away from home, with it I feel more adventurous & I can get out in nature which I love. We all want to stay connected to our friends & things that matter to us" #CPW2026.
Everyone wants to stay connected to the people and activities that matter to them. Early support helps disabled people keep doing the things that give life meaning. #CPW2026 #DisabilityBenefits #ADP
Good social care helps remove barriers and gives people the support they need to make choices, maintain relationships, contribute to their communities and live with dignity. Social Care is not just a good investment in people's lives - it’s an investment in our society. #CPW2026
“Disabled people are experts navigating barriers and finding solutions... Surely we can create more freedom and opportunity for disabled people in the workplace” #CPW2026 #AccessToWork
"Before we had a Motability car I couldn’t go places that weren’t near a bus stop. My car is a sanctuary away from home, with it I feel more adventurous & I can get out in nature which I love. We all want to stay connected to our friends & things that matter to us" #CPW2026.
Good social care helps remove barriers and gives people the support they need to make choices, maintain relationships, contribute to their communities and live with dignity. Social Care is not just a good investment in people's lives - it’s an investment in our society. #CPW2026
“Adult Disability Payment is there to help people like myself with the extra costs that we do incur. Social Care Charges come along and they take most of that away so we’re being given help in one hand, and then on the other it’s being taken off us,” says GDA member Kim #CPW2026
“Adult Disability Payment is there to help people like myself with the extra costs that we do incur. Social Care Charges come along and they take most of that away so we’re being given help in one hand, and then on the other it’s being taken off us,” says GDA member Kim #CPW2026
Having enough income to meet the extra costs of disability helps people to enjoy the same opportunities many of us take for granted. GDA Ross talks about #DisabilityBenefits helping him with getting places and keeping connected to friends, family, and wider community #CPW2026
"I actually feel guilty for leaving the house because I know how much it costs just to get from A to B. Having enough income to meet the extra costs of disability means I get to enjoy the same stuff other people take for granted" says @GDA__online Ross. #ADP #GoingPlaces #CPW2026
"I actually feel guilty for leaving the house because I know how much it costs just to get from A to B. Having enough income to meet the extra costs of disability means I get to enjoy the same stuff other people take for granted" says @GDA__online Ross. #ADP #GoingPlaces #CPW2026
We all benefit when people have the financial security to participate in work, family life & their communities. @GDA__online Kirsty describes positive impact #DisabilityBenefits #Motability on keeping her connected to the people and things that matter to her #CPW2026 #GoingPlaces
"Because I’m on the Motability Scheme, it means I can keep doing things that give my life meaning. The Motability Scheme means we can continue volunteering, working and contributing to our communities, ” says @GDA__online Kirsty #DisabilityBenefits #GoingPlaces #CPW2026
"Because I’m on the Motability Scheme, it means I can keep doing things that give my life meaning. The Motability Scheme means we can continue volunteering, working and contributing to our communities, ” says @GDA__online Kirsty #DisabilityBenefits #GoingPlaces #CPW2026
GDA CEO @tressaburke gives evidence to Social Justice & Local Government Committee clarifying purpose of Disability Benefits that must cover extra costs of being disabled & the barriers/financial hardship that comes with it. She points to misconceptions of social care charges.
"There is a myth that disabled people get ADP or PIP to pay for the cost of social care. And that is just not true but people in social work now think it's true. [The Committee] can make clear the purpose of disability benefits and what they're for." @tressaburke
You can watch today's Committee session in full at:
scottishparliament.tv/meetin…
