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Under consideration PE2161: Extend the time period for complaints through the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman for neurodivergent people to two years
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 to allow for a two-year complaints period for people with cognitive disabilities.
Background information
I applied for a time extension from the SPSO believing I would get a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act on account of my neurodivergence and was rejected. I am aware of similar issues and anxieties from my local autism community and local services, where I have established that this practice is quite common.
Many neurodivergent people struggle with executive functioning, including adhering to strict deadlines. The time restriction creates an unfair barrier to justice, preventing valid complaints from being heard. We are being excluded from the SPSO by design. Allowing additional time for us would promote accessibility, fairness, and equal treatment under the law.
The SPSO has no record of what types of disabilities are granted ‘exceptional circumstances’. I feel their policy is unreliable. I don’t think the service is transparent or understands the massive impact being ‘timed bar’ has on the neurodivergent community. My intention is to have a Scottish wide protection of inclusion to stop this practice.
54 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
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