Scottish Parliamentary Elections 2026

This manifesto sets out a strong, values-driven agenda centring autistic people’s rights, access, and co-production in Scotland. Its focus is on:

Clear commitment to human rights, co-production, and equity
Strong emphasis on Autistic Disable People’s Organisations (Autistic DPOs) leadership and lived experience
Broad coverage across health, justice, education, funding, and legislation

1. Principles, Values, and Human Rights

A clear commitment to ongoing expressions of support and solidarity in the face of cultural hostility, whether domestic or international.
A commitment to the maximalist incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)¹ across all relevant policy areas, as part of the Human Rights Bill for Scotland.²
A commitment to completing the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill (LDAN Bill) with significantly greater input, in line with a Human Rights–Based Approach (HRBA), and through meaningful, co-productive work with Autistic DPOs.
A national ban on Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in all forms. There is ample evidence that it contravenes Human Rights and causes lifelong mental health issues.³

2. Governance, Co-production, and Autistic Leadership

A mandate for closer involvement of Autistic DPOs in legislative decision-making processes, in line with General Comment 7 of the CRPD.⁴
Introduce a Statutory Duty to collect disaggregated data regarding need and unmet need within our community, on National and Local Government, and any other body in receipt of public funds or delivering a public service.
Statutory remuneration duty for those with lived experience taking part in research and other forms of participatory activity.⁵
In line with the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’, ensuring that National and Local Government and other public bodies are required to: meaningfully engage with, and co-produce policy alongside Autistic DPOs; that autistic people lead and influence funding decisions which affect our community.

3. Funding, Social Care, and Economic Justice

Statutory duty to core fund Autistic DPOs.
Increased access to the Autistic Adult Support Fund and other relevant funding streams, ensuring they are accessible to Autistic DPOs.
An end to the postcode lottery of support, ensuring best practices and equitable provision regardless of location.
A full review and reform of Self-Directed Support (SDS) legislation and statutory guidance, using a Human Rights-Based Approach that places Autistic DPOs and those with lived experience, at the heart of the process, to empower users and ensure the system is fit for purpose.

4. Health and Wellbeing

Commitment to develop a National Neurodevelopmental Assessment Pathway, as recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatry Scotland⁶, Experiences of Autism Assessment and Diagnosis in Scotland Survey Report,⁷ and Adult Developmental Pathways Report.⁸ See also Waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments: what do the numbers say? – SPICe Spotlight.
Equitable access to healthcare and mental health support that is neuro-affirming and appropriate for autistic people.
Annual health checks for autistic people.
Deinstitutionalisation in line with recommendations by the United Nations (CRPD/C/5: Guidelines on deinstitutionalization, including in emergencies (2022) | OHCHR) and changing the present approach in line with criticism of the Coming Home Implementation Report (see Submission in response to the Coming Home Implementation Report 2022 – C-Change and Moving from institutions to independent living | SHRC Spotlight Projects)

5. Education, Workforce, and Training

Mandated autism training across education, social work, healthcare, and frontline services, that is developed and delivered by autistic people.
Funded access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) supports, alongside training for AAC users, and wider societal training to improve understanding and acceptance of AAC (especially in the workforce).
A commitment to ending children and young people being sent away from their homes and families to receive appropriate education.
Create a devolved national Access to Work⁹ scheme by consolidating best practice in the present piecemeal approach, thereby making a system fit for purpose, that can close the employment and pay gap for autistic people.

6. Justice, Advocacy, and Legal Rights

Improved access to justice, including training for autistics to know their rights, along with properly resourced law centres.
Access to, and dedicated funding for: professional independent Rights Advocates across Scotland, especially in Mental Health settings and institutions.
Reform of Legal Aid to address the accountability gap and current lack of access to justice for autistic and disabled people.¹⁰
Mandatory autism training across Police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Services, Scottish Prison Service, that is developed with and delivered by autistic people.

Signatories:

Scottish Autistic People’s Organisations Joint Manifesto

Scottish Parliamentary Elections 2026

1. Principles, Values, and Human Rights

2. Governance, Co-production, and Autistic Leadership

3. Funding, Social Care, and Economic Justice

4. Health and Wellbeing

5. Education, Workforce, and Training

6. Justice, Advocacy, and Legal Rights

Notes