LAST week, a report published by six leading disability charities revealed that discrimination, poverty and prejudice are still very much part of the lives of people with disabilities.

Their report, ‘Equal? Still not, why not?’ presents the views of people with a range of disabilities on what it means to be disabled in Scotland today.

It reveals some striking statistics. Almost half of people in poverty in Scotland are disabled or live in a household with a disabled person. The additional costs of living with disability average £550 a month. Only 44 per cent of people with disabilities in Scotland are currently working. And the number of disability hate crimes is on the increase.

Real-life experiences and feelings paint a worrying picture too. ‘Lonely’, ‘scary’, ‘judgmental’, ‘frustration’ are just some of the words respondents used when asked to describe living with their disability.

The findings resonate strongly with the views we hear from many guests at Leuchie. Loneliness and isolation are major factors for many. Stress and uncertainty are widely felt in relation to accessing support and information. Practical challenges such as completing applications for funding or dealing with repeated benefit checks can become major hurdles when you are dealing with the effects of a long-term condition.

Our guests’ feedback often highlights attitudes they are faced with on a daily basis too. For example, a comment about Leuchie staff from guest Andrew recently illustrated how people often respond to his speech delay: “Staff give you time to say what you’re going to say and don’t put you off by talking over you. That doesn’t happen outside Leuchie.”

The underlying message of the report is that while a lot of work has been done, most people with disabilities still do not feel equal.

The charities involved have called on the Scottish Government to carry out a comprehensive review of attitudes to and services for people with disabilities. So many of the ongoing issues they face, including difficulties with the social security system, combating isolation and loneliness, and accessing advocacy support are all areas where positive changes can be made. At Leuchie, we offer our whole-hearted support.