About the Scottish Accessible Information Forum

The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) has been set up to take forward the recommendations made by the Scotish Working Group on information Services for Disabled People and Carers in it's final report Enabling Information (1995).

SAIF aims to make information more accessible to everyone who needs it. SAIF supports the rights of disabled people and carers in having access to timely and accurate information about a wide range of services.

SAIF believes that, rather than be forced to rely on others, disabled people should recieve information directly an in their preferred format. This will help to enable them to make informed choices and live independent lives as equal members of society.

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

The Forum is made up of twenty peole representing providers of information and advice, as well as organisations of and for disabled people and carers.

Over half of SAIF's members are disabled people or carers themselves.

SAIF is managed by the Scottish Consumer Council and is funded by the Social Work Services Group of the Scottish Office.

The project is run by a full-time Project Officer and part-time Administrative Assistant.

SAIF's 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 Office on policy relating to disabled people's access to information

The Forum is developing links and partnerships with key agencies including:

• general information providers
• specialist disability information providers
• local authorities
• The Scottish Office
• voluntary organisations and charitable trusts
• further and higher education institutions.

and encouraging them to develop information strategies which take account of the needs of disabled people and carers.

If you would like to know more about SAIF contact: Sarah Smith (Project Officer) or June West (Administrative Assistant)