Consultation on United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): analysis of responses - summary

Outcome 3 - Equal and inclusive access to education, paid employment and an appropriate income whether in or out of work

Thirteen commitments were included under Outcome 3. Consultees were asked if they agreed or disagreed that these commitments would help the Scottish Government make progress towards Outcome 3. Seventy-one per cent agreed that they would.

Recurring themes emerging under the Outcome 3 commitments related to the implementation of the commitments and the need to engage with disabled people.

The importance of supporting post school transitions to help young people access work or further education was emphasised, and there was a call for person-centred services in connection with commitments 43 and 44 (Disability Employment Services in Scotland and support to help disabled people into work).

When commenting on commitment 46 (Disability Benefits Advocacy Support) and commitment 48 (establishing a social security system that treats people with dignity and respect), consultees reflected on their dissatisfaction with the current benefits system administered by the Department of Work and Pensions ( DWP). They spoke of the negative impact of cuts to welfare and benefits and dissatisfaction with, and stress caused by Personal Independence Payments ( PIP) and Employment Support Allowance ( ESA) assessment procedures. There were calls for the Scottish Government to continue to mitigate against Westminster cuts to welfare spending.

Consultees provided numerous suggestions for how a future Scottish social security system could improve on the current system. Most suggestions were made by one consultee. Those which were suggested by more than one consultee were: the need to overhaul assessments (3); developing a system that does not take away the motivation to find work (3); and better co-ordination between benefits, social care, work and education (2).