An opportunity has been created for neurodivergent people to help the Scottish government design an inclusive consultation for a Bill to better protect the rights of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

Expressions of interest to join a new lived experience panel are now being accepted from anyone in Scotland who identifies as being learning disabled, autistic, and/or neurodivergent.

The Scottish government says the panel will be closely involved in the design of consultation documents for a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill – though ultimate sign-off responsibility for the consultation and draft legislation will lie with the Scottish government.

Key tasks for the panel will also include coming up with the best way to communicate with people who will be affected by the Bill and how to ensure the consultation reaches the widest range of people of all ages and backgrounds.

The panel will consist of between 12 and 20 members, with participants expected to be paid in the range of £75 and £150 per meeting.

At least seven meetings are expected to take place during the initial phase and consultation analysis period, with a regular schedule of monthly meetings expected to run during development of final policy options.

The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) says the move to establish the panel is a "great development":

"It is so important that the Bill reflects people’s experiences, and we would encourage anyone who is interested in having their voice heard to apply."

Though the panel is expected to run for more than a year, in its announcement, the government says it will consider extending the panel further so that members can provide support during the parliamentary process.

Due to timings, it is likely the Bill will not be introduced until the next parliamentary year, toward the end of 2023 at the earliest.

The Bill will also look to establish a Commissioner for Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity to protect people's rights in Scotland in practice. For this, the lived experience panel advise the government on advantages and disadvantages of establishing a commissioner, before it is included in a consultation. 

Earlier this week, a Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill was formally lodged by Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour.

Mr Balfour told healthandcare.scot ahead of launching a public consultation on the bill that a commissioner will champion disabled people’s rights at all levels of government and hold government, local authorities and health boards accountable.

Charities, disabled people-led organisations and advocacy groups will also play a role in the design of the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. While office-bearers or paid staff members of such groups will be unable to apply to join the panel, volunteers for these organisations will still be able to put their names forward.

Anyone eligible and interested in joining the panel can submit an expression of interest to LDAN.Bill@gov.scot before the 5^th of January 2023.

The next stage for those who apply will be an informal discussion with a Scottish government official and an external interviewer from SCLD or Inspiring Scotland.

Read more: Consultation on Disability Commissioner Bill; New Disabled Children and Young People Transition Bill; Powerful new advocate for patient safety proposed

 

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