ILIS Do-it-yourself guides
An introduction to the Independent Living Movement Do-It-Yourself (DIY) guides
Most disabled people know what needs to happen to improve their life so that they can play their part in society. Despite knowing what needs to change we don’t actually do anything about it.
Perhaps we don't have time, energy or skills we need to take action. Perhaps we don't have all the information we need or we don't believe that the people who make the decisions will take any notice. Or maybe we just don't know how to get started.
The ILiS Do-It-Yourself (DIY) guides have been written for disabled people in the Independent Living Movement in Scotland. They are there to give information about different subjects so that you can get started on taking action for change. Having the right information and skills will mean that many more disabled people can get involved in the issues that affect them.
Each DIY guide introduces a subject and shows why it is relevant to disabled people. The guides show you ways that you can get more involved on issues that affect you and tell you where you can get additional information.
There are currently 10 guides that you can use individually or together to help lobby decision makers to make changes. Or to change the attitudes that some people have about disability.
Have we missed a subject? Tell us what you need and we will try and produce a DIY guide on that subject.
The following subjects are covered by the ILiS DIY guides:
1) The Human Rights Act - What it is, what's covered by the Act and how to use it
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2) The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRPD) - What it is, what's covered and why it's important
3) The Scottish Parliament Public Petitions System - What a petition is, when and why to use one and how to send one to the Parliament.
4) Elected Members; MPs, MSPs and Councillors - Who are they? How, why and when you might use them?
Please click here to access The Scottish Council on Deafness's website where you will find a BSL guide to democracy
5) The Freedom of Information Act - Getting information from public bodies like councils or health boards and how you might use this.
6) Research - how to carry out research and what to do with it after.
7) Getting involved - How disabled people can become more involved in decision-making and what to expect from that
8) Developing policy - What do we mean by policy and how can you write and use it?
9) Guide to Public Consultations - Who consults? And how can you get your views heard?
