In March 2021, the Scottish government published ‘Towards Transformation’, an update of their Learning/Intellectual Disability and Autism Transformation Plan, which sets out to ensure that progress is made in transforming Scotland for autistic people and people with learning/intellectual disabilities.
This plan is the beginning of the Scottish Government’s process of considering the impact of the Scottish Strategy for Autism (2011-2021) and the Keys To Life learning disability strategy for Scotland (2013-2023), including what their next steps should be. In particular, ‘Towards Transformation’ highlights the impact of COVID-19 on autistic people and people with learning/intellectual disabilities, how support services have adapted throughout the pandemic and the actions which the government at local and national level will take, both individually and jointly with partners, to mitigate restrictions on movement and opportunity to improve things for people with lived experience. Importantly, autistic people and people with learning/intellectual disabilities will be fully involved in both the leadership and scrutiny of this plan.
As a joint plan, the Learning/Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Transformation Plan recognizes that although the issues faced by Autistic people and people with learning/intellectual disabilities can and will be different, there is common ground, including around the challenges and barriers they may face. However, this plan does not advocate for joint actions or services at a local level and the Scottish Government will maintain clear, separate actions for both groups that reflect their differences by implementing a person-centred approach at all levels.
To read the full ‘Towards Transformation’ update to the Scottish Government’s Learning/Intellectual Disability and Autism Transformation Plan, click here.
