About Scottish Learning Disabilities observatory

What does the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory do?

The Observatory delivers rigorous, inclusive and impactful research and teaching that aims to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our mission

We will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities via:

  • Multidisciplinary research to understand the causes and identify and develop solutions to address the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Meaningful and inclusive collaborations with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, third sector organisations and the health and social care sector
  • Supporting postgraduate students and professionals through high quality research degrees and research-led teaching programmes

Our objectives

We will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities via:

  • To address inequalities experienced by people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • To empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to contribute to social and scientific innovation
  • To provide cutting-edge knowledge and skills for researchers and health and social care practitioners
    To influence policy and improve practice in relation to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Our Commitment

Our research is about creating opportunities, improving lives, and shaping a more inclusive world.

The Observatory delivers rigorous, inclusive and impactful research and teaching that aims to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Dr Lauren Fulton

Research Associate

Policy and legislation

As a strategic delivery partner of the Scottish Government's learning disabilities policy team the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory will work collaboratively with people with learning disabilities and people with autism, as well as families, carers and other policy teams to help deliver the goals of health improvement and equality outlined in national policy.