What is Scottish Learning Disability Week?
Scottish Learning Disability Week is a time to celebrate people with learning disabilities.
It’s about making Scotland a fairer place, where people with learning disabilities are respected, included, and have equal opportunities in all areas of life.
This week helps people understand the achievements and talents of people with learning disabilities. It also raises awareness about the challenges they face every day.
Scottish Learning Disability Week is a chance to:
- Break down barriers.
- Challenge unfair attitudes.
- Build a Scotland where everyone belongs.
7th -13th September 2026
Scottish Learning Disability Week is a national weeklong celebration of inclusion. The week will always be held in the second week of September.
Why is Scottish Learning Disability Week important?
People with learning disabilities in Scotland are often treated unfairly.
- They may not get the support they need at school.
- It’s harder for them to find work and earn money.
- They don’t always get proper healthcare.
- They’re often excluded from community life.
- Their voices are not always heard in decisions about their own lives.
This makes life harder than it should be.
Did you know?
5% of people with learning disabilities live in a couple (compared to 56% of the general population in Scotland)
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52% of people with learning disabilities said they took part in exercise (compared to 80% of the general population in Scotland)
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In 73% of disability-aggravated incidents of hate crime, the perpetrator showed prejudice against a person with a learning disability.
View sourcePeople with learning disabilities die 20 years younger on average
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One child in two (50%) is removed from the care of parents with learning disabilities.
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98% of educators say teacher training doesn’t prepare them for teaching children and young people who have Additional Support Needs.
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