Welcome to the
Scottish
Learning Disabilities
Observatory
The Observatory has been set up to provide better information about the health and health care of people with learning disabilities and people with autism in Scotland. The Observatory will generate and translate information into knowledge, that is designed to inform actions, practice and policy to benefit people with learning disabilities and people with autism.
More about usHealth and care experiences
In this short film people with learning disabilities tell us about their experiences of health and health care.
News
Research Voices Citizens' Jury Recommendations Report now available
The Research Voices project brought together a group of individuals with learning disabilities to form a Citizens’ Jury to discuss and challenge existing practices around health research. The report from this project is now available together with two short videos where the Citizens' Jury members share their experiences of the process and their ten recommendations for overcoming barriers to engagement with research. Find out more about this work.
Latest SLDO research
Reports & publications
We publish reports relevant to learning disabilities and autism policy and practice.
View our full list of reports and publications here.
E-newsletter
Our e-newsletter is published on a regular basis. If you would like to receive a copy into your inbox, please register below and you will be added to our distribution list for updates. You can view our e-newsletter archive here.
Population profiles
Population characteristics
26,349
with learning disabilities
31,712
with autism
5,295,402
all people
Health
15.2%
with learning disabilities
37.4%
with autism
52.5%
all people
Housing and accomodation
11,886
Rented from council or housing association
8,927
Private ownership
2,203
Rented privately or living rent free
Employment and Education
12,098
Long term sick or disabled
2,460
in paid employment
1,975
students
1,934
retired
2,648
other
Family
53.3%
with learning disabilities
82.7%
with autism
78.3%
all people
Health and social care spending
2014/15
£250,188,001
Health care spending
£697,310,000
Social care spending
Other topics
Country of birth
25,599
with learning disabilities
30,689
with autism
4,926,119
all people
Language spoken at home
321
with learning disabilities
465
with autism
80,791
all people
Ethnicity
20,875
with learning disabilities
26,842
with autism
4,382,131
all people