ACE meet MSP to spell out agenda

Leonard praises work of Airdrie group

Members of the Airdriebased ACE group for people with learning disabilities met Central Scotland MSP Richard Leonard to highlight local issues.

Run by Enable Scotland, the group’s name stands for Active Community of Empowered people and it works to challenge equality barriers for all those who have a learning disability.

Group representatives met Mr Leonard at the One Wellwynd centre and discussed issues including employment, hate crime, social isolation and welfare.

ACE member Sam Francis said: “We talked about the impact these things have on aspects of life such as meeting new friends and being able to do things other people take for granted.

“We were really interested to hear from Mr Leonard and were pleased to hear he would be taking action on the issues we raised.

“It’s important that our MSPs talk to us and listen to what we have to say and Mr Leonard has promised to do this.

“What we think isn’t always heard or listened to but people who have learning disabilities have a lot to say about important issues.”

Group members were also involved in the organisation’s Enable the Vote campaign, which saw 80 per cent of project participants go on to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, compared to a usual voting figure of 30 per cent among people who have learning disabilities.

Sam said: “Enable the Vote has given us more opportunities to have our say in politics and meeting one of our MSPs was the important next step in this.

“It was good of Mr Leonard to meet us and listen to our concerns.

“We hope to meet him again soon, and that we can work with him to get some of our issues resolved.”

Mr Leonard, a regional Labour representative, said: “I learned a lot about particular issues I can help influence, especially employment.

“It’s shocking that less than 8 per cent of adults who have learning disabilities are able to find work and I aim to push this up the Scottish Government’s agenda.

“I was very impressed with the ACE group. Meeting, listening and learning from them is important to me and I really value the group having a collective voice on issues that are important to them.”

It’s important that our MSPs talk to us and listen to what we have to say Sam Francis

Meeting Richard Leonard MSP with ACE group members