Recognising the achievements of people with learning disabilities: Scotland’s first national Learning Disability Awards

Linda Mitchell (Partnership and Development Manager at The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability) highlights why recognising the talents and achievements of people with learning disabilities matters, and urges RSA Fellows to spread the word about Scotland’s first national awards.

The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) coordinates Scotland’s national Learning Disability Week, which will be held between 15 and 21 May this year. The theme for 2017 is ‘Looking back, thinking forward’. Find out more about the week and how to get involved here.

2017 is the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology in Scotland. We want to take this opportunity to reflect on how the lives of people with learning disabilities in Scotland have changed over the years.

Last year, SCLD and RSA Scotland marked Learning Disability Week by awarding six lifetime RSA Fellowships to people with learning disabilities. The success of this endeavour was that the competition, and the awards ceremony that followed, focused on the achievements of people with learning disabilities. All six Fellows are ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities. They are ambitious and innovative - change makers and influencers. The RSA believes that the power to create is in all of us; these six people with learning disabilities prove it.

Last year’s success has inspired SCLD to host the first national Learning Disability Awards in Scotland. On Friday 19 May 2017, we will be recognising outstanding people at an awards ceremony at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.

SCLD is delighted that RSA Scotland is continuing to support people with a learning disability in Scotland, by supporting the first Scottish Learning Disability Awards with a further lifetime fellowship opportunity through the RSA Social Impact Award category. We are seeking nominations under a total of seven exciting categories:

• Sporting achievement
• Youth achievement
• Employee recognition
• Exceptional frontline worker
• Inspirational family carer
• Creative achievement
• Social impact award (RSA Scotland)

Most of us will know a family member, a friend, a work colleague, or a neighbour with a learning disability who deserves to be recognised for their achievements. This is a great opportunity to nominate someone and have their story heard.

Nominations open on Monday 23 January 2017 and close at 5pm on Monday 6 March 2017.

How can RSA Fellows support the awards?

• Share the link to the Learning Disability Awards
• Retweet SCLD News’ announcement
• Nominate an individual with a learning disability who deserves to be recognised for their achievements

Thank you for your continued support. We will have lots to tell you about Learning Disability Week 2017 and the awards as they draw nearer.

Linda Mitchell
Partnership and Development Manager
Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD)