Enable Scotland

Enable Scotland (stylised as ENABLE Scotland; formerly the Scottish Society for the Parents of Mentally Handicapped Children[1] and Scottish Society for the Mentally Handicapped) is a member-led charity based in Scotland that supports people who have learning disabilities and their families. Founded in 1954 they campaign for equal rights for people who have learning disabilities and also provide personalised services to assist them with various problems in their lives.[2] Typical difficulties addressed include access to employment, transportation, support for families, and help with finances.[3][4][5] Enable Scotland also run the Scotland Employers Award.[6]

History

The idea for a support organisation for children who have learning disabilities dates back to February 28, 1944, when a group of five parents met together in a Scottish living room. They planned to create an organisation to campaign for services in Scotland that would benefit children who have learning disabilities and their parents. Their first meeting was held in the education offices in Glasgow, and was an unexpected success; over 350 people attended from across Scotland.[1] The founding members included Catherine Shapter,[1] and the physicists Joan Curran and Samuel Curran.[7]

Campaigns

They received media attention in 2007 from an advertising campaign that compared people with learning disabilities to pets.[8][9] They were also featured on STV News for a campaign that highlighted the difficulties of elderly carers of disabled children.[10]

Controversies

The charity received criticism over their personal data handling after the personal data of 101 people was lost in November 2011. They have since committed to improving their practices in this area.[11]

References
  1. "Catherine Shapter". Herald Scotland. June 7, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  2. "About Us". Enable Scotland. 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  3. "Getting around". Enable Scotland. 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  4. "In the family". Enable Scotland. 2010-05-23. Archived from the original on 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  5. "Money matters". Enable Scotland. 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  6. "Farm on shortlist for award". Forfar Dispatch. 2011-10-15. Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  7. Dalyell, Tim (February 19, 1999). "Joan Curran". The Independent. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  8. MacDonald, Calum (2007-01-11). "Row as charity posters compare disabled to pets". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  9. "Animals get greater charity share". BBC News. 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  10. "Charity launches campaign for older carers". STV News. 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  11. "Charity loses personal details". Dumfries and Galloway Standard. 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
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