Disabled urged to have say on their own lives
People with support needs can sign-up to peer group
People with disabilities were being encouraged to speak up and get involved in decisions about their own lives.
Scotland-wide peer network the National Involvement Network (NIN), set up in 2007 by the health and social care charity ARC Scotland, has launched a membership drive to empower people with disabilities to be more vocal about the support they need.
The NIN gives people with a range of additional support needs the opportunity to share what matters to them, have their voice heard and equip them with
the skills to help shape the services whose support they receive.
This is the first time that people with support needs have been able to ‘sign up’ to be part of the NIN as a full member, with the right to vote on decisions , chances to meet new people and share experiences, and opportunity to influence change for disabled people across Scotland.
NIN member Fiona Dawson, who has Down’s syndrome and lives and works in Ayr, said being part of the NIN has given her opportunities, friendships and boosted her confidence.
She said: “The NIN is full of people with a different range of disabilities and it’s a chance for them to get together, have a social impact and get involved and know the Charter for Involvement.”
The Charter for Involvement was introduced in 2015 when people with support needs involved with the NIN wrote 12 principles of inclusivity.
These included being involved in their communities, the right to live an independent life and being able to vocalise how they want to be supported by the organisations that provide their services.
Fiona added: “The key thing is human rights, all of us as individuals have human rights.
“Sometimes I feel not enough people with disabilities are willing to join the likes of these organisations, particularly throughout the pandemic, because I think they are scared of the virus circulating.
“But we are real organisations and I want to encourage others to please do join. The NIN is a great organisation to be with, it’s a great group of people with disabilities. “I’ve gained a lot of confidence through the NIN. It’s given me opportunity after opportunity and it’s been really worth it.”
Catherine Dempsey from ARC Scotland added: “We’re delighted to be launching NIN membership so that more people with additional support needs can choose to join us as members, to have their voice heard and take control of the things that matter most to them in their lives.”
To join the NIN - open to anyone aged 16 and over with any disability - or for more information, visit https:// arcscotland.org.uk/involvement/ national-involvement-network/