Monday, June 1 was a big day for Glasgow’s 125,000 disabled people. That’s when  they had the opportunity to meet up with dozens of influential agencies and individuals, headed by Communities Minister Alex Neil, in a day-long festival to highlight the vital role of lifelong learning in giving disabled people control over their own lives. 

Alex Neil said: “This event is positive and dynamic. It is important that people get the message about the work you do and the impact which learning has on disabled peoples’ lives. “

The event was held at the Thistle Hotel, and included a hustings of candidates for the European elections, chaired by Lesley Riddoch who commented that the audience- over 450- were “feisty and passionate”.  

GDA Director Tressa Burke said: “This day is about celebrating the great things lifelong learning has enabled disabled people across Glasgow to achieve.  It’s also about highlighting the importance of partnership working in empowering disabled people to achieve their full potential and rights”.

In everything it does, GDA puts disabled people themselves in the front-line of   decision-making, helping them develop the capacity to take charge of their own life choices, and at the same time campaigning by example, for removal of the barriers that keep disabled people from taking full advantage of empowerment through learning.

GDA is not shy to put the argument for what it does in terms of basic human rights and launched its Charter of Rights at the event. The message is clear: disability is a social issue -not a personal misfortune- – requiring society’s remedies. Disabled peoples’ needs are as varied as those of other citizens.  But their rights are the same.  It is the challenge of a civilised society to square that circle.

For more information, call 0141 556 7103 or email shirleycoull@gdaonline.co.uk

GDA have uploaded 2 short DVDs onto You Tube with more information about the organisation. Members and learners also provide reviews of what they think of GDA, its activities and achievements. Go to  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-rXjnlo-OE