speech on independent living

Conference I come before you as two things can you guess what they are? The most obvious thing is that I am part of that select group of people in Scotland 1 in 5 of the population, who have a disability. Secondly I am the PPC for Orkney and Shetland. I do not know which of these is more of a challenge, but they are both one I intend to conquer.

The labour party has done so much for disabled people through out the UK to make our lives easier and for that I am grateful

What I want to talk to you about is independence, not political independence but social independence

Conference what do you think of when you think of a disabled person being independent, is that being able to cook and clean for themselves well conference there is so much more to being independent than that

Independent living is being able to do what you want when you want to do it- without having to rely on others. Just like all of you who are not disabled.

An example of this is the barred campaign! This is a campaign, which seeks to improve the social lives of disabled people by improving the access to pubs by improving the access information about them. Yes conference disabled people like to go for a pint too-, as those of you who know me will testify

I am asking the party to put down on paper is recognition of the importance of independent living and also that it means more than being able to do the basics. But to allow disabled to take their place in society.

Like the SNP I want full independence but unlike them the purpose of my independence is not to break up society or a country but to be able to take my place in society and contribute just like anyone else.