Inclusion Scotland
Inclusion Scotland is Scotland's national Disabled People's Organisation, founded in 2001 and led by disabled people. It delivers policy advocacy, the Employment and Internship Programme, a CPD-accredited training course, and the Access to Elected Office Fund for disabled people across Scotland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Inclusion Scotland does
Inclusion Scotland is a Scottish registered charity (SC031619) and company limited by guarantee (SC243492), founded in 2001 and headquartered at 152 Bath Street, Glasgow. It operates as Scotland's national Disabled People's Organisation (DPO), delivering policy influencing, research, employment, and leadership programmes on behalf of disabled people. Its work is grounded in the Social Model of Disability and led by a board, Co-Convenors, and staff who are themselves predominantly disabled people with lived experience of the barriers the organisation challenges. Governance is distributed, with Co-Convenors Kim Dams and Jim sharing leadership alongside CEO Heather Fisken, who has been with the organisation since 2012.
The portfolio comprises five core services: the CPD-accredited Disability Inclusive Employment training course delivered via the Thinkific LMS (7 chapters, 43 lessons); the Employment and Internship Programme, which has supported more than 150 disabled people into paid, project-based internships since 2014; the Access to Elected Office Fund supporting disabled candidates; the People-led Policy Panel for co-produced policy work; and a publicly accessible Resource Library of reports, easy-read documents, and consultation responses. Technology is operational rather than differentiated, relying on commodity tools — Thinkific for course delivery, the OneTap accessibility overlay for the website, and Microsoft Forms for community surveys.
Revenue is generated through three streams: Scottish Government and public-body grants (primary), CPD training and bespoke professional services (secondary), and individual donations plus legacy giving (tertiary). Individual and DPO membership is free. The go-to-market is community-led, with direct engagement of disabled members, member DPOs, employers, and government partners across Scotland, supplemented by UK-level policy engagement through the UK DDPO Coalition in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The customer base spans Scottish Government (primary funder), individual disabled people in Scotland (addressable population approximately 1.1 million, or 22% of the population), member DPOs, employers hosting interns, and policy-making bodies.
Inclusion Scotland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Inclusion Scotland
- Legal name
- Inclusion Scotland
- Website
- https://inclusionscotland.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Inclusion Scotland is Scotland's national Disabled People's Organisation, founded in 2001 and led by disabled people. It delivers policy advocacy, the Employment and Internship Programme, a CPD-accredited training course, and the Access to Elected Office Fund for disabled people across Scotland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Inclusion Scotland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Rights Advocacy
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Human Rights, Social Inclusion & Disability Inclusion (BPAGABAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
Keywords
Where Inclusion Scotland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Inclusion Scotland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from the Scottish Government and other public bodies to support DPO operations, policy work, and community programmes.
- Training Services: CPD-accredited training courses offered to organisations on disability inclusion. Bundle and membership pricing available. Professional services revenue from bespoke training sessions.
- Donations and Support: Charitable donations from individuals and trusts; legacy giving through wills; partnership contributions from employers and organisations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Disability Inclusive Employment Online Course - 7 chapters, 43 lessons |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Inclusion Scotland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Inclusion Scotland is Scotland's national Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) that influences disability-related policy, delivers employment and leadership programmes, and provides resources and training to support disabled people across Scotland. It offers a CPD-accredited online Disability Inclusive Employment Training course via Thinkific, runs a national Employment and Internship Programme that has placed over 150 disabled people in paid internships since 2014, and operates an Access to Elected Office Fund supporting disabled people standing for political office. Its work spans policy panels, research, accessible resources, and member services for both individual disabled people and member Disabled People's Organisations.
Product overview
Inclusion Scotland operates as a Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) offering advocacy services, policy influencing, and practical programmes rather than a technology product. Its service portfolio includes Disability Inclusive Employment Training (a CPD-accredited online course via Thinkific), the Employment and Internship Programme supporting disabled people into paid internships, the Access to Elected Office Fund for political participation, the People-led Policy Panel for co-production of policy, and a Resource Library containing reports, briefings, and guides in accessible formats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Disability Inclusive Employment Training A CPD-accredited online training course designed to help organisations build disability-inclusive workplaces, covering practical guidance on recruiting, supporting, and retaining disabled employees. The course consists of 7 chapters with 43 lessons and is delivered via the Thinkific learning management system, with bundle and bespoke training options available.
- Employment and Internship Programme A national programme supporting disabled people into paid, project-based internships across Scotland. Since 2014 the programme has supported more than 150 disabled people, offering employers practical guidance on inclusive recruitment, framing job descriptions, accessible interviews, and workplace adjustments.
- Access to Elected Office Fund A fund supporting disabled people who want to stand for elected office in Scotland, helping cover costs associated with political participation. Operated alongside the Access to Politics Network programme.
- Membership Services Free individual membership for disabled people in Scotland and organisational/DPO membership for other Disabled People's Organisations. Members receive newsletter access, involvement opportunities, capacity-building support, and voting rights at AGMs.
Companies that use Inclusion Scotland
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Inclusion Scotland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Inclusion Scotland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core member, key partner, core partner, funder/partner, referral partner and research partner.
- ARGH Scotlandcore memberARGH Scotland (formerly Autism Rights Group Highland) is a charity run by and for Autistic adults, based in the Highlands and working across Scotland. They are a member of Inclusion Scotland. The organisation promotes self-advocacy, challenges stigma and discrimination, and contributes to Scottish Government's Autism Strategy Review Group, the proposed LDAN Bill, and Cross Party Group on Autism.
- Self-Directed Support Scotland (SDSS)key partnerSDSS and Inclusion Scotland co-published a report exploring how changes to Self-directed Support (particularly Direct Payments) are affecting disabled people's lives. This joint research initiative supports advocacy against SDS cuts.
- Sensing Climate Projectkey partnerCollaboration to make climate emergency planning more disability-inclusive. Joint workshop held in Edinburgh on 4 November 2025 to gather disabled people's expertise on climate and emergency planning policies.
- Environmental Rights Centre Scotlandkey partnerPartner with Inclusion Scotland and Sensing Climate Project on disability-inclusive climate emergency planning. Jointly organised workshops and contributed to literature review on Scotland's climate and emergency planning policies.
- Disability Equality Scotlandcore partnerCo-led the #DisabledPeopleDemandJustice campaign in October-November 2024. Collaboration on disability rights advocacy and campaign actions across Scotland.
- UK DDPO Coalitioncore partnerCoalition of UK Disabled People's Organisations including Disability Rights UK, Disability Action Northern Ireland, Disability Wales, and Inclusion Scotland. Granted core participant status in Module 6 of UK Covid-19 Inquiry examining impact on adult social care sector.
- Scottish Governmentfunder/partnerPrimary funder of Inclusion Scotland's work. Inclusion Scotland works with Scottish Government on Disability Equality Plan implementation, pandemic preparedness, climate emergency planning, and various policy consultations.
- Disability Rights UKkey partnerPart of the UK DDPO Coalition representing disabled people in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 6 on adult social care.
- Disability Waleskey partnerPart of the UK DDPO Coalition representing disabled people in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 6 on adult social care.
- Disability Action Northern Irelandkey partnerPart of the UK DDPO Coalition representing disabled people in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 6 on adult social care.
- Disability Information Scotlandreferral partnerReferral organisation for individuals seeking advice and support. Runs Telephone Helpline, Text Message and Email service for disabled individuals. Inclusion Scotland directs people requiring direct support to their services.
- Dundee University (Leverhulme Doctoral Centre)research partnerPhD researchers from Dundee University's Leverhulme Doctoral Centre for Regenerative Innovation participated in climate emergency planning workshop, contributing research on AAC futures and equitable resilience adaptations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Inclusion Scotland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Disability Wales: National Disabled People's Organisation for Wales, providing policy influencing, member support, and capacity building. Coalition partner with Inclusion Scotland via the UK DDPO Coalition.
- Self-Directed Support Scotland: Scottish charity advocating for independent living and self-directed support for disabled people. Joint research partner with Inclusion Scotland on Direct Payments — directly comparable mission and constituency.
- Disability Equality Scotland: Scottish national disability organisation delivering policy, training, and the Access Panel Network. Co-led the #DisabledPeopleDemandJustice campaign with Inclusion Scotland and operates overlapping Scottish employer engagement programmes.
- Disability Rights UK: National UK Disabled People's Organisation focused on policy influencing, welfare rights, and independent living. Direct coalition partner with Inclusion Scotland in the UK DDPO Coalition and core participant in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
- Disability Action Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland's largest disability-led organisation providing services, policy work, and member support. UK DDPO Coalition partner alongside Inclusion Scotland.
Regional players
- Enable Scotland: Scottish charity supporting people with learning disabilities through direct services, advocacy, and employment programmes. Operates in the same Scottish geography with overlapping beneficiary base and similar employer engagement.
- Disability Information Scotland: Scottish information and advice service for disabled people, operating a helpline and referral network. Formal referral partner of Inclusion Scotland and overlapping Scottish operating geography.
- Scottish Council on Deafness: Scotland-wide umbrella body for deaf and hard-of-hearing organisations. Operates in the same Scottish jurisdiction with policy advocacy and member engagement functions analogous to Inclusion Scotland.
Broad incumbents
- Leonard Cheshire: Major UK disability charity operating employment, education, and inclusion programmes at scale. Comparable in the disability-inclusion training market but with substantially broader geographic reach and brand.
- Sense (UK disability charity): Large UK-wide disability charity supporting people with complex disabilities. Broader portfolio of services and pan-UK footprint make it a comparable incumbent in disability training and employment support.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Inclusion Scotland social profiles
Digital presenceInclusion Scotland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Inclusion Scotland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Inclusion Scotland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Inclusion Scotland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Inclusion Scotland
What does Inclusion Scotland do?
Inclusion Scotland is Scotland's national Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) that influences disability-related policy, delivers employment and leadership programmes, and provides resources and training to support disabled people across Scotland. It offers a CPD-accredited online Disability Inclusive Employment Training course via Thinkific, runs a national Employment and Internship Programme that has placed over 150 disabled people in paid internships since 2014, and operates an Access to Elected Office Fund supporting disabled people standing for political office. Its work spans policy panels, research, accessible resources, and member services for both individual disabled people and member Disabled People's Organisations.
Is Inclusion Scotland a public or private company?
Inclusion Scotland is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Inclusion Scotland founded?
Inclusion Scotland was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Inclusion Scotland based?
Inclusion Scotland is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Inclusion Scotland make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are training Services and donations and Support.
Who are Inclusion Scotland's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Disability Wales, Self-Directed Support Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland, Disability Rights UK and Disability Action Northern Ireland. Regional players are Enable Scotland, Disability Information Scotland and Scottish Council on Deafness. Broad incumbents are Leonard Cheshire and Sense (UK disability charity).
Does Inclusion Scotland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Inclusion Scotland.
What industry is Inclusion Scotland in?
Inclusion Scotland's product category is Disability Rights Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAN, Human Rights, Social Inclusion & Disability Inclusion, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8300.