A MAN who has faced a lifetime of struggle due to his learning disabilities has spoken of his hopes for the future following the launch of a new campaign by Scotland’s leading learning disability charity.

Peter McMahon has been a long-time campaigner with the charity Enable and is eager to see people like him afforded the same opportunities that, he says, have traditionally eluded those with learning disabilities.

After facing verbal abuse and taunts as a youngster, Peter dedicated his life to improving the chances and opportunities for people with learning disabilities across Scotland.

From creating a series of videos telling his life story, to being an outspoken advocate for change, Peter has added his voice to the growing calls for justice.

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However, with a job at a garden centre under the 58-year-old’s belt and an active role as a spokesperson for Enable’s Rights Now campaign, Peter now believes there is light at the end of the tunnel and wants to raise awareness of the new campaign to the wider Glasgow community.

Peter, from Easterhouse, said: “I’ve had to endure everything from name-calling and abuse to daily challenges trying to do the most basic of things.

“People from all walks of life just don’t understand what it’s like. Even something like getting your Covid jab in recent years, or filling out a form for a job application, which most folk would take for granted, can be a near-impossible hurdle for people with a learning disability.

“For years I’ve been telling my story, trying to get people to take notice and give their backing to Enable. Finally, with this new campaign, it feels like we are starting to get the attention we need to really make a difference.”

Rights Now has urged the Scottish Government to maintain its commitment to introduce a new Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity (LDAN) Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

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Peter has joined Enable’s appeal for the new laws, which would bring increased protection and promotion of the rights of Scotland’s 175,000 citizens who have learning disabilities.

Current evidence suggests the employment rate for people with learning disabilities is extremely low, with research underway by the Fraser of Allander Institute to examine the true extent of the situation. Meanwhile, the average life expectancy of someone with a learning disability is shockingly 20 years shorter than those without.

With people in this group also twice as likely to die from preventable illnesses, Enable is making the case for a commissioner role to be enshrined in the LDAN Bill to protect people’s rights and to hold public bodies to account if those rights are not upheld.

Peter added: “It’s important that people with learning disabilities can live their lives how they chose, just like anyone else. No one should be disadvantaged just because they are different.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said it was consulting on the option of creating a commissioner.

They said: “We are currently consulting on proposals for a human rights Bill for Scotland, and later this year we will consult on a learning disabilities, autism and neurodiversity Bill, which will aim to ensure that people’s rights are respected and protected.”