Celebrating 100+ years of promoting equality, choice and participation
Did you know Ecas has been supporting people with a physical disability for more than 100 years? We’ve been a pioneer on many issues, helping gain greater access to education, the workforce, and transportation.
This month is UK Disability History Month, a time to reflect on the struggle for accessibility, equality and human rights.
In 1902, few people were working to improve the lives of physically disabled children. But that’s when Helen Maitland Hog founded a charity in Edinburgh to champion their rights. Our first annual report took the bold step of calling for a change in the law to guarantee disabled young people a proper education.
In the decades that followed, Ecas was often ahead of its time. We provided support and services which were later taken up by the state as attitudes become more enlightened.
One prime example was our 1985 launch of a subsidized dial-a-cab service to and from our premises. This service was later taken over by Edinburgh Council as the taxicard system and copied all around the United Kingdom.
Today, the guiding ethos we started with back in 1902 continues to guide us. We promote equality, choice and participation of physically disabled people through our activities, befriending service, grants fund, and our recently announced youth services.
Find out more about what we do and who’s eligible for our services.