Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill Consultation Deadline

Scottish Government has launched their new consultation on the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill, which seeks people’s views on proposals to better protect, respect and champion the rights of people with learning disabilities, autistic and neurodivergent people.

Suggested proposals included in the Bill aim to provide benefits in different areas of life, including more inclusive communications and mandatory training in the public sector, to address the stigma and barriers people often face.

Background

Scoping work for the LDAN Bill took place during 2022, with an analysis of that work published in February 2023. The Bill consultation has been developed with a human rights-based approach and co-designed with people with lived experience.

The consultation has been co-designed with the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), including up to 27 people with lived experience of various conditions including learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Down Syndrome, amongst others. A Stakeholder Panel and a Practitioner Panel were also involved in preparing the consultation (which included organisations and charities representing the views of a wide range of people, and a range of practitioners from organisations providing support and other services).

Consultation Events

Scottish Government will shortly be working with organisations, groups and stakeholders to organise a series of meetings and events on the consultation.

For further information on the plans for these events, or to organise an event, contact the consultation team by email: LDAN.Bill@gov.scot

Deadline, How to Submit Your Response, and Alternative Formats

The deadline for responses is Sunday 21^st April.

Responses can be submitted via the Scottish Government consultation website (linked for your convenience), or in writing, audio, video, or British Sign Language (BSL) video by sending via email: LDAN.Bill@gov.scot

• Alternative Formats and Translations

Information on how to respond to the consultation, and the consultation questions themselves, are provided in alternative formats online (linked for your convenience; located underneath the video), including: Easy Read, audio, British Sign Language, child-friendly version with an accompanying adult’s guide, and a summary version.

Paper copies of the consultation and its information can also be requested by email: LDAN.Bill@gov.scot

Further Information

Alternatively, for further information, please visit the Scottish Government news article.