About Us

SDSS is a membership organisation. Only organisations of Disabled People can be full members and have voting rights. However associate members are also welcome.

SDSS membership collectively believe that disabled people's organisations should:-

• Be part of the Disabled Peoples movement
• Work within the social/affirmative model of disability
• Be user-led and controlled, with processes for user involvement (i.e. having disabled people as members, in control of the organisation, on staff teams, and on management committee)
• Be seen primarily as organisations of disabled people. 
• Promote the philosophy of the Independent Living Movement, placing the 13 Rights of Independent Living at the heart of everything they do.

More than 51% of SDSS Management Committee members are disabled people.  They, in turn, represent disabled peoples organisations, ensuring that the governance, operation and strategic aims of SDSS remain true to the philosophy of the Disabled Peoples and Independent Living Movement.

Aims

Self Directed Support Scotland (SDSS) actively promotes Independent Living for disabled people by supporting, working with and championing the aims of Self Directed Support Organisations, (SDSOs) which themselves support disabled people to access and benefit from Self Directed Support.  These are organisations which are managed and controlled by disabled people.

Objectives

SDSS strives to:-

• Promote the Social Model of Disability and philosophy of Independent Living Movement throughout Scotland.
• Provide a forum for member organisations to work together and share ideas, experiences and information.
• Research best practice and identify examples of good practice in Self Directed Support and to report on these to member organisations and others.
• Provide a national campaigning voice for member organisations.
• Provide support to existing and evolving member organisations.
• Provide training for member organisations, staff and others.

SDSS Leaflets

Please feel free to download our

General Information  leaflet, and

In the Know project leaflet.