Latest news
Keep up-to-date with what's happening at SBH Scotland.
“We need to focus on what disabled people can do; not what they can’t”
Doug Ross lives with spina bifida. He has devoted his professional life to supporting disabled people into employment and supporting them in the workplace..jpg)
Recently retired from his role as Staff Disability Adviser at a major Scottish University, he believes that much more needs to be done to improve opportunities for disabled people:
“Things are definitely better than they used to be, but the fact there is such a wide disability employment gap says that we need real action to change our national culture around disability employment.
“We need to encourage supportive and diverse workplaces as strong workplaces; see adjustments as an investment, not an expense; we need to see the point of the workplace as focusing on what disabled people can do, not what they can’t. Accessible and diverse workplaces benefit everyone.”
Doug Ross from Bishopbriggs, Glasgow
“It took me eight months to get funding and I’m still facing another long wait to get access to respite. The process is leaving me feeling more tired and overwhelmed”
Leanne Belch is mum to Amber, 6, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus and Laila, 12, who has arthritis.
Amber has had more than 30 operations in her young life and needs regular care and medical appointments.
Leanne started the process of applying for respite with her Local Authority back in April.
In January, they learned that they have been successful in receiving respite funding, but the wait is not over. She now could face up to a year to wait for an appropriate respite place to become available:
“We’re grateful to the Council for this funding and to the support from Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland throughout this long process. However now the wait begins to actually get respite in place. The whole thing just feels endless.
“Everything seems like a battle when you have disabled kids. Why can’t it be easier? We’ve been through so much as a family.
“The whole process is leaving me feeling more tired and overwhelmed. I needed respite eight months ago and I need it even more now. It is so difficult to get support and there are so many families struggling out there.
“It’s great that politicians have made access to respite a right, but right now, the way the system is, the only thing that’s happening is people are just waiting and waiting.
“There’s no point in having a right to something that you can’t get access to when you need it.”
Leanne Belch, from East Kilbride
“The constant battle to live fully in an inaccessible world is becoming increasingly difficult for many of us”
.jpg)
Amjid Majeed is a regular attendee at SBH Scotland’s adult social groups, where he has found connection, belonging and most importantly, friends for life. He plays an active role in his community supporting charitable activities including an initiative to recycle used mobility aids and share them with those in need in developing countries. He said:
“Time and time again, disabled people are targeted for harassment, face discrimination, barriers, and exclusion.
“The constant battle to live fully in an inaccessible world is becoming increasingly difficult for many of us.
“We fully deserve a fair and better quality of life and living conditions.”
Amjid Majeed, from Castlemilk, Glasgow
Sign our petition today and tell party leaders to choose opportunity for disabled people
SBH Scotland launches ‘Choose Opportunity’ campaign
Join the Choose Opportunity today and sign our petition to call for change
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland has launched the Choose Opportunity campaign.
So many challenges facing disabled people and their families are a result of political choices made by our politicians.
Too many spaces and services are still inaccessible. Disabled people are more likely to live in poverty, struggle to find jobs and experience lower wellbeing.
In a country as rich as Scotland it shouldn’t be this way. You can call for politicians to make a difference choice? To choose opportunity.
Sign our ‘Choose Opportunity’ petition to call for change
We want to see Scotland be the most opportunity rich country in the world for disabled people – a place where everyone gets the chance to feel unstoppable.
By signing our petition, you will be calling for all political parties at the Scottish Parliament elections in May to create more opportunities for disabled people.
We want to see the next Scottish Government:
- Introduce a Disabled People’s Access and Opportunities Bill which would include measures to improve accessibility, act on the cost of disability, and give disabled people the chances to reach their full potential.
- A commitment to increase financial support as a central part of efforts to reduce disabled people’s poverty.
- Improve access to respite - Make sure that respite is available quickly when parents and carers need it.
- Support more and better quality job opportunities for disabled people
- Fairer funding for charities like Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
Bread and flour to be fortified with folic acid to prevent birth defects
New legislation has been introduced that will help prevent around 200 cases of brain and spine defects in babies each year in the UK by fortifying non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid.
The legislation requires millers and flour producers in the UK to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid by the end of 2026.
Folic acid deficiency is a leading cause of neural tube defects in babies, including spina bifida. Increasing a woman’s intake of folic acid can help prevent these serious and debilitating conditions.
Flour is already fortified with calcium, niacin, thiamine and iron to improve public health. The move to include folic acid could help to reduce neural tube defects by 20% in the UK and improve the health of pregnant women.
Ian McWatt, Deputy Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS), commented: “Fortifying flour with essential nutrients is a straightforward yet impactful way to help reduce neural tube defects.
“For decades, fortified flour has strengthened public health, and these new regulations aim to give children across the nation a healthier start.
“Over the next two years, manufacturers will have time to adjust both the composition and labelling of their products, ensuring a smooth transition.”
Food Standards Scotland and the Scottish Government will continue to engage with the food industry to support them to implement the changes, which will apply to the whole of the UK. Legislation has been laid in England and Northern Ireland, and Wales intend to lay similar legislation soon.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:
RSSSupport us
Because of you we provide a lifetime commitment of support. Please continue to support us or donate today. Thank you.
Make a donation