Project / Series

Adults with learning disabilities

The Fraser of Allander Institute is delighted to embark on this long-term project aiming to shine a light on the support systems in place for adults with learning disabilities in Scotland – both from government and wider society.

Overview

People with learning disabilities have much to offer Scotland. They are a large group of people who come from a variety of diverse backgrounds across the country. At school, children with learning disabilities and their families receive additional support to meet their needs and aspirations. But the transition to adulthood and beyond is often not straightforward.

Like all of us, adults with learning disabilities sometimes need support to reach their full potential. But they often feel left behind and invisible in a society that is largely unaware of the barriers they face and potential they have to offer.

The Fraser of Allander Institute is delighted to embark on this long-term project aiming to shine a light on the support systems in place for adults with learning disabilities in Scotland – both from government and wider society. This programme is part of the Institute’s long history of examining the societal and economic implications of public life in Scotland.

This project could not be more timely, as the Scottish Government aims to build an inclusive, wellbeing economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their approach to supporting adults with learning disabilities can be seen as a bellwether of how serious their intent is.

Our research aims to build on the large body of work by the many brilliant organisations and people in Scotland who already report on this issue.

Throughout our work we will be engaging with as many people as we can to learn and reflect on expertise beyond our own. If you want to be one of those people, we will always be happy to hear from you. Our contact information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Our work on adults with learning disabilities is supported by Acorns to Trees:

 

Authors

Emma Congreve is Principal Knowledge Exchange Fellow and Deputy Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute. Emma's work at the Institute is focussed on policy analysis, covering a wide range of areas of social and economic policy.  Emma is an experienced economist and has previously held roles as a senior economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and as an economic adviser within the Scottish Government.

Picture of Graeme Roy, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute
Graeme Roy

Dean of External Engagement in the College of Social Sciences at Glasgow University and previously director of the Fraser of Allander Institute.

Knowledge Exchange Associate at the Fraser of Allander Institute