Policy

The Scottish learning disabilities strategy, The keys to life (2013) emphasises the need to address the major health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities in Scotland. In 2015 The keys to life: Implementation Framework and priorities 2015-17 was launched, providing a two year route map to achieving the goals of the learning disabilities policy across 4 strategic outcomes:

1. A Healthy Life: People with learning disabilities enjoy the highest attainable standard of living, health and family life.
2. Choice and Control: People with learning disabilities are treated with dignity and respect, and protected from neglect, exploitation and abuse.
3. Independence: People with learning disabilities are able to live independently in the community with equal access to all aspects of society.
4. Active Citizenship: People with learning disabilities are able to participate in all aspects of community and society.

Additional resources

The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory was set up in 2015, with funding from the Scottish Government, to contribute to health improvement by providing information, data, and intelligence on the health and healthcare of people with learning disabilities and people with autism.  Follow the link to the SLDO website (given above) for more detailed information on learning disabilities.