Voices at Work – Co-production employment project report now available

Image of the graphically designed front cover of a report. The headline text read Voices at Work report, May 2026. Below are the three logos for GCIL, Glasgow Futures and the Scottish Government. There is a bright blue, green, yellow and light blue angled graphic on the left side of the page and the bottom third of the page features a phot of 6 individuals. 5 of them people are standing, one is sitting in a wheelchair.

Voices at Work is a co-produced research project led by GCIL (Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living), funded by Glasgow Futures and delivered between October 2025 and May 2026. The project explored the experiences of disabled people in the workplace, with a focus on understanding what supports or undermines sustainable employment. The project engaged 47 participants…

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Joint Manifesto

Our manifesto, produced jointly with LCIL and AILN, sets out a shared vision for independent living and equality for disabled people. It highlights the barriers that continue to disable people and the actions needed from decision‑makers to create a fairer, more inclusive society. Read the full manifesto here. (Also available as Easy read and Text-to-speech)

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Biennial General Meeting

A panel of four individuals sits behind a long table covered with a black cloth displaying the GCIL logo and the slogan “Life. On your terms.” One panelist uses a powerchair. Each person has a microphone and nameplate in front of them, suggesting a formal meeting or annual gathering. Behind the panel, a large projected slide titled “Chairperson’s Report” summarizes GCIL’s 30 years of supporting disabled people across Glasgow and surrounding regions, highlighting achievements such as independent‑living support, policy influence, and staff and board pride. The slide also notes a leadership transition, with references to “hanging up my spurs” and passing responsibilities to a younger generation. The room appears to be a conference or organizational meeting space, with the panel focused on presenting the report to attendees.

Today we welcomed members and partners to GCIL’s Biennial General Meeting, reflecting on the past two years and looking ahead to our future priorities. We highlighted continued delivery of independent living support, growing influence through participation and policy work, and the evolution of our Equality Academy. We also marked our 30th anniversary, including our recent…

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Assisted Dying Bill

The image is of many people standing outside a building. They are holding placards. Placards show slogans such as First do no harm, and If in doubt vote no. Some individuals are sitting in wheelchairs, some are standing.

Today I am at the Scottish Parliament, representing some of our Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living members, to witness and hear the voting on the Assisted Dying Bill. This is an incredibly significant and sensitive moment — one that carries profound implications for disabled people, our rights, our protections, and how society values our lives.…

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Students show enthusiasm for much-needed social care role

Image of 6 people standing in a line. Between them in the middle is a tv screen on the wall which a display reading What are the job opportunities (and other unreadable text). Behind the people on each side are also 2 pop-up banners advertising Self-directed support and South Lanarkshire council. The people are all smiling. There are 4 women, dressed casually and 2 men. They are a range of ages and heights.

Shared with thanks to South Lanarkshire Council for the article and photos below. ——————————– Opportunities have been boosted for people needing tailored day-to-day support after students gave an enthusiastic reaction to learning about a little-known social care post. A series of presentations at South Lanarkshire College explained the role of the Personal Assistant and the…

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Scottish Government Cabinet Takeover

Image of the Scottish First Minister John Swinney. He is standing at a lectern and microphone. He is wearing a suit and tie. Behind him are windows grey wall and blue chairs.

GCIL are proud to stand alongside our DPO colleagues at Inclusion Scotland, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Disability Equality Scotland and others at the Scottish Government Cabinet Takeover today, where disabled people’s voices, expertise and lived experience were placed at the heart of government decision-making. This powerful event saw Disabled People’s Organisations working directly with Scottish Ministers…

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The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care Funding in Scotland

GCIL welcomes the publication of The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care Funding in Scotland. In particular the findings from the survey on disabled people and unpaid carers in part 3. The report highlights the real-life impact of reductions to Self‑Directed Support budgets, showing that disabled people are losing choice and control over…

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PA research – a call for participants

Colourful poster with the text outlines in the body of this post. There are two speaker icons at teh bottom of the page and teh text appears in colour bands, of yellow, green and blue. The logo of the University of Glasgow, and a QR code appears at the bottom of the poster.

Lisa, a researcher at the University of Glasgow is looking to speak to PAs and supported people about their experience. Are you over 16 years old, living in Scotland and doing one of the following; working as a Personal Assistant (PA) employing a PA or providing informal care to someone and employing a PA on…

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In Memory of Etienne d’Aboville – Former CEO of GCIL

Man sitting down. He has a beige jumper tied around his neck and a satchel on his lap. He is wearing glasses and smiling at the camera. He is sitting in a wheelchair. Behind him is a set of stairs, and two pull up banners showing some text and the logo for GCIL.

It is with deep sadness that we reflect on the passing of Etienne d’Aboville, a pioneering figure in Scotland’s Independent Living Movement and the first Chief Executive Officer of the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL). Etienne died peacefully on 28th October 2025, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to disability rights, social justice,…

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