Disabled people
Lead adopts a social model approach to disability. Lead Scotland's mission and vision seek to widen access to learning for disabled people and carers.
We believe "disability" to be a social construct. Society has the power to disable people, and also the power to enable people. People can therefore be affected by "disability", but "disability" is not something which is personally 'owned' by individuals. Disability is 'owned' by society. Impairments are owned by individuals. Individuals therefore have impairments, not "disabilities".
We prefer to say "disabled people" in place of "people with disabilities" as this is a more accurate term in keeping with the social model. Some people use the term 'learning disabilities' to describe themselves and so we sometimes use this term.
As an organisation for disabled people, particularly 'hard to reach' disabled people, Lead values working with organisations of disabled people, such as:
Inclusion Scotland is a national consortium of disabled people and organisations. The Glasgow Disability Alliance, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living and Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living promote independent living and disabilty equality.
Lead delivers training on disability equality in learning, based on learners experiences. Contact our Training and Development Officers for more information.