Building on Orkney’s strengths for people with learning disabilities

An event later this week will look at how the lives of people with learning disabilities can be improved in Orkney.

In line with Scotland’s learning disability strategy, the aim is to consider ways in which people with learning disabilities can live longer healthier lives, participate fully in all aspects of society and prosper as individuals.

The event, at the Pickaquoy Centre on Thursday 13 December, will bring together a wide range of participants including people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, health and social care staff, local businesses and representatives from the isles.

Those taking part will look at examples of where people with learning disabilities are already actively involved in community life. They will consider what barriers prevent people with learning disabilities from contributing more to the planning and design of local services - and consider how to build on the strengths of communities in Orkney to make them even more inclusive.

The event will be supported by Orkney Health and Care and the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD).
Catriona Rowley, the SCLD’s Implementation and Involvement officer, said: “This is the third partnership event in a series we have been running across Scotland.

“The aim of each event has been to explore locally the good examples of people with learning disabilities contributing to their community as active, connected, and included citizens, and discuss how to overcome the barriers that stop them from doing so.

“Given Orkney’s well renowned distinctive identity and sense of community, we look forward to hearing about what is happening on the islands and learning from this as we seek to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities across Scotland.

It will be chaired by Gail Anderson, Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Orkney, who added: “This is an important event for people with learning disabilities as it will provide opportunities to recognise and discuss what is happening already, but also to explore what else needs to be done to ensure they are supported to contribute fully within a strong and inclusive community.”