Scotland goes to the polls on 7th May 2026. Around 194,000 people in Scotland live with sight loss, and this election will shape the services they depend on. We have gone through every major party manifesto and pulled together what each party is promising on eye health, disability rights, social care and equality — all in one place.
Political leaders and candidates may say many things during an election campaign. This document only covers what each party has written in their official manifesto — the document that sets out their formal promises if they win. All quotes come directly from manifestos published on party websites, and we have included page numbers so you can check them yourself. We have included everything we thought might be relevant from every party, whether we think it would have a positive or negative impact on blind, partially sighted or disabled people.
The overall picture
Each party has taken a different approach to disability and eye health in this election. The SNP has focused primarily on eye health services and community care investment. Scottish Labour has focused on accessible information and social care reform. The Scottish Liberal Democrats have included specific commitments on visual impairment employment and carer rights. The Scottish Greens have focused on disability rights more broadly legislation and social security reform. The Scottish Conservatives have focused on disability employment support and education for children with additional support needs. Reform UK has focused on social security reform and addressing the cliff edge in Carer Support Payment. The Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) has focused on social security reform and is the only party to explicitly endorse Sight Scotland’s and Sight Scotland Veterans’ policy positions in their manifesto.
The sections below set out what each party’s manifesto says. We will be engaging with MSPs from all parties after the election.
Can people actually read the manifestos?
One of the reasons we put this resource together is that accessing party manifestos can itself be a challenge for people with sight loss.
The SNP offers easy read, printed Braille format (on request) and large print. Scottish Labour offers Braille Ready Format (printed Braille version on request) and large print. The Liberal Democrats offer audio, easy read and plain text versions. The Scottish Greens offer audio and an easy read version. The Conservatives, Reform UK and Independence for Scotland Party have not published any accessible versions. No party has produced a British Sign Language version.
No party has made its manifesto available in every accessible format. This is one of the reasons this resource exists. Links to each party’s manifesto and any accessible format versions are listed under each section below.
Parties are listed in alphabetical order. Use the links below to jump to each Party's section.
Read the Scottish Conservatives main manifesto here
No accessible format versions published or details given on how to request one.
The Scottish Conservative manifesto includes a Help to Work scheme for people on disability benefits and a review of Additional Support Needs provision in schools, which is relevant for children with visual impairment.
On Adult Disability Payment, the Conservatives propose a new assessment system for claims made on the grounds of mental health conditions, and propose replacing light-touch reviews with full reassessments for all ADP recipients.
The Conservatives also propose banning public sector roles dedicated to equality, diversity and inclusion, on the grounds they do not provide value for taxpayers. Many such roles in public bodies carry responsibility for disability equality, including ensuring services are accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
On the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, the Conservatives propose replacing it with statutory aggravators rather than specific offences. The Act currently includes disability as a protected characteristic.
What the Scottish Conservative manifesto says
“Roughly 40% of claims for ADP are for mental health reasons... The Scottish Conservatives do not believe that people should be able to claim taxpayer-funded benefits for less severe mental health conditions, so we would introduce a new assessment system for anyone claiming ADP for a mental health condition. This assessment would require a diagnosis of a mental health condition and proof that it imposes unavoidable, necessary costs on an individual’s everyday life.” (p.15–16)
On replacing light-touch reviews for all ADP recipients (p.16):“Light-touch reviews allow people who receive social security from the SNP’s benefits agency to stay on ADP by simply ticking a box. The Scottish Conservatives are clear – people should not be able to stay on benefits by ticking a box. We would scrap the SNP’s light-touch process in favour of a review system that conducts a thorough check of an individual’s benefit claim to examine whether they are still receiving the right level of support, or if they still need the payment at all.” (p.16)
“Additional support must also be available to those with disabilities to help them enter or stay in employment. Therefore, as part of our Jobs for Life programme, we would set up a Help to Work scheme for those currently or previously on disability benefits to give them help with skills, work advice and assistance contacting employers.” (p.25)
“We would invest in 1,000 additional classroom assistants to help teachers and support children with ASN (Additional Support Needs)... The Scottish Conservatives would conduct a full national review of the current approach to mainstreaming.” (p.63)
“We would ban roles in the public sector devoted exclusively to advancing diversity, equality and inclusion. These roles do not provide value for the taxpayer and funding should go towards frontline roles in the public sector instead.” (p.11)
“We would repeal Humza Yousaf’s Hate Crime Act that forces officers to spend time policing people’s speech rather than fighting real crime. Crimes motivated by prejudice would be punished via statutory aggravators instead.” (p.85)
Read the Scottish Greens main manifesto here.
Also available in:
The Scottish Greens include a detailed disability rights chapter in their manifesto. They propose incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into Scots Law, which would give disabled people enforceable rights to independent living, personal assistance and advocacy. They also propose a human rights budgeting approach, requiring every Scottish Government budget to be assessed for its impact on rights before it is passed.
On Adult Disability Payment, the Greens propose implementing the recommendations of the Independent Review, including removing the 20-metre rule — the rule that requires someone to be unable to walk more than 20 metres to qualify for the higher rate of mobility support. Many people with significant sight loss cannot travel independently but can walk short distances, and this rule affects their eligibility. They would also make Scottish Blue Badges free and extend mobility payments to older disabled people on equal terms.
The Greens commit to ending non-residential care charges, tripling the Young Carer Grant, providing multi-year funding for the third sector, and calling on the UK Government to cover the cost of increased employer National Insurance contributions for Scottish charities. They also commit to requiring Disabled People’s Organisations to be involved in planning all new public and private infrastructure.
What the Scottish Greens manifesto says
“Disabled people face higher rates of poverty, lower chances of securing a well-paid job, barriers to essential services, and even barriers to an accessible home and transport – things which other people take for granted. This is unacceptable. We commit to incorporate the UN Convention of the Rights of Disabled People into Scots Law.” (p.73)
“Implement the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, including reviewing the adequacy of payments, scrapping the inhumane 20m rule, and ensuring assessments are inclusive of neurodivergent people.” (p.74–75)
“Ensure older disabled people are able to access the same mobility payments that younger disabled people receive, and make Scottish Blue Badges, currently the most expensive in the UK, free and simpler to access.” (p.74–75)
“Close the disability employment gap by improving access to specialist employability services run by experienced third and public sector organisations, not by private sector profiteers; and take action to ensure funding is more sustainable, so long-term support can be provided. We will also require all large publicly-funded organisations to take part in the Disability Guaranteed Interview Scheme.” (p.74–75)
“Require the involvement of Disabled People’s Organisations in planning new public and private infrastructure, such as housing, public buildings, transport and public spaces, so that they meet inclusive design standards.” (p.74–75)
“Triple the Young Carer Grant to over £1,000 a year and expand eligibility, by, for example, ensuring that sibling carers and other young people who care together can both receive the payment.” (p.74–75)
“Mainstream disability inclusive communication approaches across public bodies and services exploring communication options, including email, phone, face-to-face and video calls.” (p.74–75)
“End non-residential care charges as an immediate priority.” (p.104–105)
“Deliver fair funding for the third sector, including sufficient, multi-year funding from the Scottish Government, and ensure this approach is embedded across all public sector funders. Call on the UK Government to reimburse Scottish third sector organisations for the cost of increased employer NICs, which are currently estimated at £75 million per year.” (p.104–105)
Independence for Scotland Party (ISP)
Read the Independence for Scotland Party main manifesto here.
No accessible format versions published nor details given on how to request one.
The Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) is a new party whose primary focus is Scottish independence. Their manifesto includes a number of commitments on health, social security and equality that are relevant to blind and partially sighted people.
Notably, ISP’s manifesto explicitly states that they support the policy manifestos and pledges of a list of named organisations — and Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are included in that list alongside RNIB and Inclusion Scotland. This is a commitment no other party makes in their manifesto in these terms.
On benefits assessments, ISP commits to replacing the current approach with a medically-led system that would not require anyone with an evident physical or mental diagnosis to appear before a panel. This is directly relevant to blind and partially sighted people who currently navigate disability benefit assessments.
ISP also proposes a Minimum Income Guarantee — a universal unconditional payment to keep every adult above the poverty line regardless of employment status. For disabled people who face barriers to employment, this is a relevant commitment.
On the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, ISP states it does not support the Act and will vote in favour of efforts to repeal it. As with the Conservative and Reform positions, this would affect the disability protections the Act currently provides.
ISP explicitly states that it supports the Equality Act 2010.
What the Independence for Scotland Party manifesto says
“ISP supports, in full, the policy manifestos and pledges of the following organisations… Sight Scotland… RNIB… Inclusion Scotland.” (p.42)
“ISP will work towards replacing the UK’s humiliating and degrading approach to administering benefits with a medically led assessment which will not require anyone with an evident physical or mental diagnosis to appear before a panel.” (p.21)
“We will introduce a Minimum Income Guarantee - a regular, unconditional cash payment sufficient to keep every adult and child above the poverty line, regardless of employment status, wealth, or background.” (p.13)
“ISP supports the Equality Act (2010).” (p.21)
“ISP does not support the Hate Crimes Bill and will vote in favour of efforts to repeal this. We will work with other parties to review and improve existing legislation.” (p.36)
Read the Scottish Labour main manifesto here.
Also available in:
- Braille version you can also email scotland@labour.org.uk to request a Braille print version
- Large print version
Scottish Labour’s Manifesto includes a commitment to a new Accessible Information Standard for Scotland, which would require all public bodies — such as the NHS, councils and government agencies — to provide information in alternative formats like large print or easy read when someone asks.
Labour also commits to removing non-residential care charges, closing the disability pay gap through targeted employability programmes, and delivering £10 million for Changing Places toilets. On housing, they commit to reviewing accessible housing plans to ensure disabled households are properly prioritised.
Their third sector funding proposal offers multi-year settlements that would give charities and service providers greater certainty when planning services.
Labour also commits to investing over £200 million annually in reducing NHS waiting lists and improve productivity (p.91), which could benefit people with sight loss who face delays in accessing ophthalmology and other specialist services. They additionally commit to fund 1,000 additional care-at-home packages immediately, which would support visually impaired people who rely on community care to live independently.
What the Scottish Labour manifesto says
“Create an accessible information standard for Scotland, learning from the consultation on the proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill, improving inclusive communication by public bodies, and ensuring alternative means of communication, such as easy-read, are provided on request.” (p.51)
“Removing non-residential care charges, so people are not penalised financially for needing help to live at home independently.” (p.21)
“Take steps to close the disability pay gap, ensuring that our reforms to employability support include targeted programmes to help disabled people into well paid work.” (p.51)
“Deliver an additional £10m for Changing Places toilets, renewing the fund for the next parliamentary term to address the lack of provision across Scotland.” (p.51)
“Review accessible housing plans, to ensure disabled households are properly prioritised for accessible homes and that national housing supply is future proofed to meet the needs of an ageing population.” (p.70)
“Our New Deal for the Third Sector will support better value for money, with multi-year funding settlements and agreements on shared outcomes.” (p.90)
Read the Scottish Liberal Democrats main manifesto here.
Also available in:
The Scottish Liberal Democrats commit to delivering the new Edinburgh Eye Pavilion, as well as broader commitments on disability employment and carer rights. They commit to delivering the replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, and propose specialist employment programmes and new apprenticeship schemes designed for blind and partially sighted people. On disability employment more broadly, they commit to halving the disability employment gap by 2038, introducing Adjustment Passports to record the support a disabled employee needs when changing jobs, and ensuring Access to Work support follows the person rather than being tied to a specific employer.
On carers, the Liberal Democrats commit to supporting proposals that would make caring a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 — the main law in the UK that protects people from discrimination. At the moment, being a carer is not a protected characteristic. If it became one, carers would gain a legal right to paid leave and employers would be required to make reasonable adjustments to support them. No other party in this election makes this specific commitment.
What the Scottish Liberal Democrats manifesto says
“Putting in place specialist employability programmes to enable more people with visual impairment to find work, including through new apprenticeship schemes for blind and partially sighted people.” (p.87)
Replacing the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion, after Scottish Liberal Democrats restarted the project through the 2025/26 Scottish Budget.” (p.87)
“Make it easier for disabled people to access public life, including the world of work, and accelerate progress towards the target of halving the disability employment gap by 2038 by... Supporting the Liberal Democrats’ calls to give every disabled person the right to work from home if they want to unless there are significant business reasons why it is not possible, for ‘Adjustment Passports’ to record the adjustments, modifications and equipment a disabled person has received, and for Access to Work support and equipment to stay with the person if they change jobs.” (p.87)
“Supporting the Liberal Democrats’ calls for the introduction across the UK of paid carer’s leave, for caring to be made a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, and for employers to be required to make reasonable adjustments to enable employees with caring responsibilities to provide that care.” (p.37)
“Increasing support payments so that unpaid carers are at least £1,000 per year better off than they would be under the old system of Carer’s Allowance. Developing an earnings taper to end the unfair cliff-edge and make the system more work-friendly.” (p.37)
Read the Scottish National Party main manifesto here.
Also available in:
- Large print version
- Easy Read Version
- Braille versions are available on request by emailing hello@snp.org
The SNP manifesto includes a range of commitments on eye health and community optometry. They commit to investing £144 million in community eye care this year, including a national rollout of Low Vision Services, an expansion of Glaucoma Services supporting around 20,000 patients, and increased cataract procedures through National Treatment Centres.
They have also confirmed that the replacement of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh is already underway.
On deafblind services, they commit to a national commissioning model and a specialist pool of deafblind teachers to support children who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or deafblind.
On disability, the SNP are investing £2.5 million in their Disability Equality Plan, offering longer-term funding to Disabled People’s Organisations, and creating an apprenticeship scheme to help disabled young people into work in the public sector. They are also introducing a Transition to Adulthood Guarantee for disabled young people, and a Digital Inclusion Action Plan which has particular relevance for people with sight loss.
What the Scottish National Party (SNP) manifesto says
“We will invest £144 million this year in community eyecare, freeing up hospital capacity. We will Embed Community Glaucoma Services across the country to discharge lower risk glaucoma patients from hospitals, enabling them to receive care from accredited providers in the community. We expect to support an estimated 20,000 patients once the service is established across Scotland. We will also rollout a new Community Low Vision Service across Scotland which will allow patients with visual impairment that cannot be managed through glasses, lenses or surgery, to be supported by community optometrists instead of in hospitals.” (p.47)
“We will increase the number of cataract procedures performed through our National Treatment Centres across Scotland, building on the success of the NHS Golden Jubilee Eye Centre which has performed nearly 55,000 procedures since its opening in November 2020.” (p.47)
“We will also adopt a national commissioning model for deafblind services.” (p.47)
“Work is already well underway on major capital projects including replacements for University Hospital Monklands, the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Belford Hospital and Barra’s St Brendan’s Hospital.” (p.45)
“We will expand the provision of BSL training for teachers, and we will ensure a pool of specialist deafblind teachers to support those children who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or deafblind.” (p.58)
“We will deliver multi-year funding settlements for Disabled People’s Organisations and maintain momentum and investment in the Disability Equality Plan, backed by £2.5m of additional investment... We will establish a Transition to Adulthood Guarantee for all disabled young people offering them the support they need to plan and achieve their goals.” (p.32)
“We will create a bespoke scheme with employers in the public sector to support more disabled young people to enter apprenticeships and employment. This will align with the commitments set out in our Transitions Strategy for Disabled Young People.” (p.59)
“There is a strong link between digital exclusion and poverty... That’s why we will deliver a Digital Inclusion Action Plan and call on the UK Government to introduce affordable broadband social tariffs.” (p.32)
Read the Reform UK main manifesto here.
No accessible format versions published or how to request one.
Reform UK’s manifesto includes limited content on disability or visual impairment specifically. One directly relevant commitment is on Carer Support Payment, where they propose introducing a taper so that the payment reduces gradually as someone earns more, rather than cutting off abruptly. At the moment, earning just £1 over the earnings threshold can mean losing nearly £4,000 in annual support, and Reform have identified this cliff edge and proposed to address it.
On social security more broadly, Reform propose introducing more intensive face-to-face assessments for benefit claimants and have stated that work should always pay more than welfare.
Reform also proposes abolishing the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which currently includes disability as a protected characteristic. Reform also proposes establishing an independent Scottish Healthcare Reform Commission to review NHS delivery, workforce planning and community care — a commitment that could have relevance for eye health services if implemented.
What the Reform UK manifesto says
“Our economic plan will immediately improve things for carers who support their loved ones. By removing the stark cliff edge they face for the removal of the carer support payment and tapering its removal instead, they will always have the option of taking a pay rise to earn more money to support their household’s needs.” (p.12)
“Reform will overhaul the SNP’s new social security to ensure that work always pays more than welfare, and to ensure rigorous face-to-face assessment of claimants to prevent over-payment and false applications.” (p.12)
“We will abolish the SNP’s intrusive, ideologically motivated Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, restoring freedom of speech and allowing police to focus on real crime.” (p.20)
Connect with us
If you found this useful and would like to find out more about Sight Scotland’s and Sight Scotland Veterans’ Policy and Campaigns work, or if you would like to get in touch with any questions, comments and concerns, please email us.