The display at the Scottish Parliament draws attention to the detention of individuals with learning disabilities and autism
麻豆社区 (ENU) academics have played a key role in a thought-provoking event at the Scottish Parliament, highlighting the issue of hospital detention for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. 
The designs by Dr Michael Wamposzyc, Leo Philp and former student Imogen Grieve from ENU’s School of Arts & Creative Industries built upon their research and public engagement collaboration with Dr Natasha Spassiani, Sam Abdulla from the School of Health & Social Care.
They collaborated with , PAMIS, the Aiteal Trust, and Louis Sainsbury to put on an exhibition at Holyrood last week.
The event follows recent reports which revealed the ongoing issue of individuals with learning disabilities and how they are still being admitted to hospitals, violating their human rights, according to the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC).
Despite efforts to reduce institutional care, the data shows the number of inpatient units for adults with learning disabilities in Scotland has increased.
The SHRC is therefore seeking urgent action and new laws to ensure people’s right to live independently and be part of their communities.
The reception - sponsored by Jackie Baillie MSP and attended by members of the Scottish Parliament and Government Ministers, civil servants, families affected, and connected organisations - focused on the Scottish Government’s Coming Home Policy and , an example of how care and relationships are central to understanding individuals with disabilities.
Louis’s Story highlights the importance of empathy, love, and relational care, showing that human worth is not defined by independence but by our connections with others. 
Louis, who has severe cognitive and communication impairments due to rare bacterial meningitis, demonstrates that everyone deserves respect, care, and the chance to thrive within a supportive community. His story challenges outdated ideas of independence and identity, encouraging a more compassionate and inclusive approach to care.
The event further provided an opportunity to bring together a number of individuals and organisations to take part in meaningful discussions hoping for change in Scotland with the intention of also extending this to the UK.
It not only served as an important opportunity to raise awareness, and encourage collaboration but prompted a drive for better care and support for people with learning disabilities and autism.
In the UK, more than 2,000 people with learning disabilities and autism are still in inpatient units, including some in solitary confinement demonstrating that the issue is not just a problem in Scotland, but also the rest of the UK.
Dr Wamposzyc said: “Through our collaborative work we seek to promote respect for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and to show the importance of intentional community along with care and appropriate housing.
“Coming Home is the policy heading under which Scottish Government addresses a complex systemic failure affecting people with learning disabilities and their families who are inappropriately detained in hospitals.
“Detention under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act in hospital beds in Scotland, and out-of-area placements across the UK, are used to care for people with learning disabilities, because of insufficient quality professional health and social care, appropriate housing and community support.
“This creates a sense of helplessness for people with learning disabilities, their families and professionals. It is something that we aimed to highlight with this work.”