SAIF: About the Scottish Accessible Information Forum

Background, aims and objectives

The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) was set up to take forward the recommendations made by the Scottish Working Group on Information Services for Disabled People and Carers in its final report Enabling Information (1995).

Aims and objectives

SAIF aims to make information more accessible to everyone who needs it. We support the rights of disabled people and carers in having access to timely and accurate information about a wide range of services. We believe that, rather than being forced to rely on others, disabled people should receive information directly and in their preferred format. This will help to enable them to make informed choices and live independent lives as equal members of society.

Advisory body

SAIF acts as an advisory body to the Scottish Government on issues relating to disabled people and their carers and their right to access information.

Members

The Forum is made up of 18 people representing providers of information and advice, as well as organisations of and for disabled people and carers. Over half of our members are disabled people or carers themselves.

Management and funding

SAIF is funded by the Scottish Government.

Remit

Our remit is:

• to develop and promote quality standards in information provision to disabled people and carers
• to represent and promote the interests of disabled people in having access to information services
• to promote communication between national and local information providers
• to advise the Scottish Government on policy relating to accessible information
• to improve disabled people's access to information.

Partners

The Forum develops links and partnerships with key agencies including:

• general information providers
• specialist disability information providers
• local authorities
• Scottish Government
• voluntary organisations and charitable trusts
• further and higher education institutions
• the private sector.

We work hard to encourage organisations to develop information strategies, policies and practices which take account of the needs of disabled people and carers.