People with Learning Disabilities and the Scottish Criminal Justice System: Introduction

Rights

People with learning disabilities have the same rights as anyone else.

There are laws to protect the rights of people with learning disabilities.

There is easy to understand information available about these laws.

Here are some of the important laws and reports about the rights of people with learning disabilities:

The Equality Act 2010

• This is a new law which is replacing most of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
• It protects the rights of people with disabilities.

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005

• This is a law which protects the rights of all people with disabilities

The European Convention on Human Rights

• This is a law which protects the rights of everyone

The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

• This is a law which protects vulnerable people from being harmed

The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

• This is a law which protects people who may not be able to make decisions for themselves.

"A life like any other?"

• This is a report about the rights of people with learning disabilities.

The Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

• This law is about anyone who needs to get treatment to get help with their mental health problems

The Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004

• This law is all about helping people who may come into contact with the criminal justice system

People with learning disabilities can get help from advocacy services.

Advocacy services can help people with learning disabilities to:

• Understand their rights

• Speak up for themselves

• Speak to others on their behalf