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New Fund to Improve Access and Equality for Disabled People in Scotland
£1.5m fund launched to strengthen inclusion, participation, and mental health support for disabled communities
Inspiring Scotland has announced the launch of the Improving Access Fund, a major new initiative designed to advance equality for disabled people across Scotland. Managed on behalf of the Scottish Government, the fund will provide targeted financial support to peer-led projects that align with the social model of disability and promote inclusion, participation, and improved mental health outcomes.
The Improving Access Fund represents a significant investment in Scotland’s future, with £1.5 million available for activities running from April 2026 to March 2027. Organisations can apply for up to £80,000, while smaller, unincorporated voluntary groups may apply for up to £5,000. Applications close at 12pm on Monday 19 January 2026.
At its core, the fund seeks to empower disabled people and their communities by supporting initiatives that:
- Increase financial security through advice and support to access benefits and entitlements.
- Promote full inclusion and participation, embedding disabled people’s voices in decision-making processes.
- Improve mental health outcomes by expanding peer-led, accessible mental health support.
Eligibility is focused on third sector organisations, grassroots groups, and community organisations that are led by, and accountable to, disabled people. Applicants must demonstrate strong lived-experience leadership and show how disabled people are actively involved in project design, delivery, evaluation, and learning.
Inspiring Scotland emphasises that the fund is not just about financial support but about creating lasting change. By investing in organisations that are rooted in lived experience, the fund aims to build resilience, strengthen communities, and ensure disabled people have the tools and opportunities to thrive.
To support applicants, Inspiring Scotland has made a range of resources available, including guidance notes, easy-read versions, application videos, and one-to-one support sessions. These resources are designed to make the process as accessible as possible, ensuring that barriers to applying are minimised.
The Improving Access Fund also contributes directly to the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Disability Equality Plan (DEP), which was co-produced with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs). This alignment ensures that funded projects will not only benefit local communities but also feed into national priorities for disability equality.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Inspiring Scotland, highlighted the importance of the fund:
“This is about advancing equality in a practical, meaningful way. By supporting peer-led initiatives, we are ensuring that disabled people’s voices are at the heart of shaping solutions that matter to them.”
The fund is expected to generate wide interest across Scotland, particularly among grassroots organisations that have long championed disability rights and inclusion. With its emphasis on peer-led approaches, the Improving Access Fund is set to become a cornerstone of Scotland’s efforts to tackle inequality and promote fairness.
For more information, including eligibility criteria and application guidance, visit Inspiring Scotland’s official page: Improving Access Fund
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