In Memory of Etienne d’Aboville – Former CEO of 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, and inclusive living.

Etienne’s journey with GCIL began in 1996 as Centre Manager of the newly established Centre for Independent Living in Glasgow (CILiG). In 2004, he became GCIL’s first CEO, a role he held until his retirement in 2021. Under his leadership, GCIL grew from a small grassroots initiative into Scotland’s largest Centre for Inclusive Living.

Etienne was known for his principled leadership, strategic vision, and deep belief in the power of lived experience. He championed the social model of disability, insisting that barriers, not impairments, disable people. His work helped transform lives, particularly through GCIL’s employment services, where he led efforts to support disabled people far from the labour market into meaningful work. As he once said, “We worked long and hard with people who were a long way away from the employment market and got them jobs which transformed their lives… it’s not just about working with the individual to fit them into the job, it’s about working with the employer.”

Etienne’s legacy is also one of collaboration. He recognised that GCIL’s success was built on the shoulders of giants, activists, allies, and colleagues who shared his vision. He often credited others, saying, “None of that could have happened without Jim. Incredible man… everything that has happened is really down to him originally.” His humility and generosity of spirit were evident in his relationships across the movement.

He was a passionate advocate for disabled people’s rights, but also a realist about the challenges. He spoke candidly about the precarity of funding, the undervaluing of disabled lives, and the difficulty of sustaining activism in the face of systemic barriers. “It’s a bit depressing when 25 years down the line you look back at your successes… we’re still here,” he reflected. Yet even in moments of doubt, Etienne remained committed to the cause, describing the fight for rights as “like trying to light a match in a hurricane.”

Etienne’s impact extended beyond GCIL. He was instrumental in shaping the wider Independent Living Movement in Scotland, supporting the creation of sister organisations like Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA), and advocating for the reopening of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in Scotland. His voice was one of clarity, conviction, and compassion.

He will be remembered not only as a leader, but as a mentor, colleague, and friend. Florence Garabedian, former CEO of LCIL, said it best: “Etienne… really personified what the independent living movement is all about.”

Etienne d’Aboville’s legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he helped transform, the movement he helped build, and the principles he never stopped fighting for. He leaves behind a Scotland more inclusive, more just, and more determined to uphold the rights and dignity of disabled people.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Susie, Etienne’s wife and their family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.