“Education for Employment or Learning for Life”

Tressa Burke, CEO25th October 2016

Outline• About GDA• Barriers & cumulative impact: the reality for disabled people • Solutions: Human Rights, Independent Living and Inclusion• GDA response and impact• Community of Interest strengthening voices• Short film

Background to GDA1. GDA beginnings: led and controlled by disabled

people- over 3500 members

2. Nothing About Us Without Us

3. Disabled people’s voices are supported

4. Community development principles – involve us in solutions

5. Human Rights based approaches to secure empowerment, inclusion and participation

GDA VisionFor disabled people to be able to participate in their own lives, families, communities, and be visible across all aspects of society-e.g. volunteering, education & employment- with the support they need and with choices equal to other people.

Links to UNCRPD Article 19

Barriers and Cumulative impact• 600,000+ people in Glasgow • 25% disabled people (census data plus public agencies)• Over 50% disabled people unemployed compared to

20% of non disabled people. • Disabled people more likely to live in poverty• Disabled people face higher cost of living, including

equipment, transport, adaptation and so on.• 50% of austerity cuts affect disabled people• Social isolation is a major concern

Specific education concerns• YDP 3 times more likely not to be in education, employment or training• Disabled people more than twice as likely to have no qualifications• 13.1% students in Glasgow FE colleges identify as disabled • 38.7% of total number of disabled students on special programmes • 90% of disabled students not able to access Disabled Students

Allowance• 2.3% of total students, 6520, in receipt of DSA (Scottish Funding Council)

• 8.3% of total students, 25465, disclosed disability or health condition• 15% of disabled people have a degree and more likely than non disabled

people without a degree to be in low paid job• 7% of engineering students are disabled – numbers for all vocational and

professional courses very low

Educational progressions of YDP• Can be forcibly segregated in education• FE most likely destination for disabled school leavers at ASL schools• Lack of personal choice in post-school transition- Voices not heard• Career aspirations not considered or supported• Many end up pushed into “skills for life” courses – as that is where

support is most easily available • Lack of support for post-college transition• Few positive destinations post-college• Confidence and skills gained undermined by periods of unemployment

and social isolation• Many disabled adults face similar barriers

Personal assistance (SDS)

Communication support

Social, civic & judicial participation

Access to the environment

Inclusive education & lifelong learning

Accessible transport

Advocacy Accessible housing

Income

Peer supportInformation Employment

Accessible & inclusive health care

Legal rights

Technical aids & equipment

Independent Living

GDA Mission

GDA methods 1. ENGAGE (find) disabled people.

2. DELIVER programmes of learning.3. BUILD voices: confidence, connections,

contributions 4. PROVIDE accessible information,

signposting and facilitating access to services.

5. PARTNERSHIP and/ or Coproduction with agencies.

GDA Key Stats 2015 -16• 655 new members; 3500+ is current total – aged 14 to 102• Learning and Capacity Building Programmes:

80 taster and short courses 16 progs, 10 certificated courses

• 1226 individuals, 5885 learning opps• 25 events• 12 partnership events • Over 1500 event participants• 12 community clubs set up/ supported • 15+ peer support networks• 150+ individuals received intensive 1-2-1 coaching • 80+ parents of young people supported• 1000 people brought together with services.

GDA Accessibility • Accessible information• Accessible venues• Personal assistance• Communication support• Transport• Access equipment• Flexible timings• Lunch• Peer support (including age & stage)• Multiple opportunities • Variety of methods • Recognise diversity• Meaningful• Fun!

“I was perfectly “normal” until I broke my back in an accident. I spent years trying to mentally, physically and emotionally comprehend what had happened to me, which resulted in me going down a very dark road – I was suicidal.

One summer’s day in 2015 I was ‘Googling’ information and by chance found GDA.

It took some weeks before I felt able to make the initial Contact. My first course was in first aid. Although I was told transport and lunch would be provided I was still sceptical. Without transport I could not have attended this course or any other courses. Getting the right support gave me confidence in myself and in GDA”

Susan, GDA member.

Susan’s story

• Disabled people in driving seat• Leading change alongside allies and partners• GDA supports disabled people to contribute their

lived experience, voices and ideas.• Contributing to nationals and local policies:

GDA Expert Voices of Disabled People

• Democratic renewal• Healthier Scotland• Human Rights (UNCRPD)• Social Capital• Resilient Glasgow• Community Capacity Building• Health & Social Care Integration

• Community Empowerment Act• Independent Living Strategy• Mitigating Welfare Reform• Poverty Leadership Panel• Community Planning• Third Sector Forum• Third Sector Executive

Short Film and Thank you!