Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill

Overview

The Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill has been introduced by Jeremy Balfour MSP to establish a Disability Commissioner for Scotland.

The Bill is a Member's Bill. Find out more about its development and read the responses to the Member's consultation. 

The Commissioner's primary purpose will be to promote and safeguard the rights of disabled people.

The Commissioner would be expected to:

• advocate for disabled people at a national level, promoting awareness and understanding of the rights of disabled people
• review law, policy and practice relating to the rights of disabled people
• promote best practice by service providers and may also promote, commission, undertake and publish research on matters relating to the rights of disabled people
• have the power to undertake investigations into devolved matters if the issue relates to disabled people.

Mr Balfour has indicated that he has used the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland as a template. The Member's policy memorandum reflects on that role's high profile, influence and impact on matters relating to children’s rights.

Under the proposals, the Disability Commissioner would be required to encourage the involvement of disabled people in the Commissioner’s work and to use inclusive communication to enable the fullest involvement.

Find out more about the Bill

How to submit your views

Please submit your views using the online submission form, linked to below.

We welcome written views in English, Gaelic, Scots or any other language.

Other ways to submit your views

Open a copy of the Easy Read version of this Call for Views that you can edit on your computer

Open a copy of the Easy Read version of this Call for Views that you can download and print off

Complete this consultation in writing, with the questions in British Sign Language (BSL)

Complete this consultation using British Sign Language (BSL) via WhatsApp on your mobile device. Click the button or scan the QR code below to use WhatsApp.

The call for views closes on Friday 17 May 2024.