Disability events in Scotland: Enable’s guide to keep you busy

When it comes to disability, there’s a lot happening throughout Scotland. From support, to education and theatre productions, there’s plenty to keep you busy. We’ve rounded up our picks of what’s going on.

SUPPORT

INDEPENDENT LIVING SCOTLAND (26-27 September; SEC, Glasgow)

Independent Living Scotland is Scotland’s premier event focusing on health, care and mobility. Attracting decision makers as they look to touch, test and compare the newest products ahead of purchase, Independent Living Scotland brings together Scotland’s healthcare professionals, suppliers and consumers under one roof. It’s a great event to go to if you need information about anything from care to products.

EDUCATIONAL

GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE (9-11am, 15 July, 19 August, and ongoing Sundays; Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow)

Credit: @glasgowsciencecentre Instagram

If you have autistic children then going on days out to science centres and museums might not be possible. Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) offers autism-friendly hours once a month. It’s the same fun of GSC but with much less hustle and bustle on a Sunday morning! GSC is an exciting place, teeming with loud sounds and bright lights so the centre lowers the volume and softens the lights to allow adults and children with autism to enjoy their visit without additional stress. It’s £9.50 for an adult and child, and another adult can go free.

ROBERT BURNS BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM (3pm– 5pm, ongoing, first Tuesday of every month; Robert Burns Birthplace Museum)

Credit: @robertburnsnts Instagram

Newly refurbished, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is an interesting look at our national poet’s life and legacy for children and adults alike. The museum dedicated to Rabbie Burns is proud to be welcoming and inclusive to all audiences; its aim is to encourage and enable as many people as possible to enjoy their collection. Whilst the interactive and audio visual elements are a fantastic way for many to engage with the exhibition, some visitors find it overwhelming and for this reason the museum creates accessible opening times for two hours in the afternoon of the first Tuesday of every month. All audio visual aspects will be switched off and it will be autism friendly. An additional bonus – carers go free.

SUMMER SKILLS WORKSHOP (10.30-12.30pm, 24-27 July; ECAS, Edinburgh)

Credit: @bobath.scotland Instagram

Bobath Scotland, a charity that helps support children and adults with cerebral palsy, is holding a series of summer skills workshops for young people between the ages of 16-26. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet other young people with cerebral palsy, learn some new skills and have fun. The aim of the workshops are to develop confidence and life skills in an enjoyable and social environment. If you are given a place in the workshops, you will receive a getting to know you a call prior to the group so that Bobath can identify your individual needs and what you want to get out of the workshop. You have to attend all four days of morning workshops – and the spaces are limited, so get in touch now.

CULTURE

GUERILLA ASPIES (1pm, 2-4 August; Laughing Horse, Edinburgh)

Credit: @edfringe Instagram

The Edinburgh Fringe is the biggest festival in the world and it takes over the capital city for the summer months.
There’s truly something for everyone and all sorts of performances are on all over the city. Neurodiversity is such a buzzword at the moment, especially for anyone who is autistic. Back for its fourth year with new neurodiverse images and stories, Paul Wady continues to pioneer a unique genre. The spoken word artist doesn’t consider his autism to be a disability and talks about building a community of autistic people. A great show for autistic people – and everyone else!

PROPHETS OF IMPERFECTION (5.10pm, 3-4, 6-11 August; Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh)

Credit: @edfringe Instagram

Inspired by Star Wars and superheroes, two Dutch comedians look at the past, present and future of life with
disabilities. They may not be Guardians of the Galaxy, but they are Prophets of Imperfection. Marijn de Vries, who calls himself Captain Cane, and Bannie Cheff who calls himself Brace Boy, take a whimsical, but often serious, look at disability. And also crisps.

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