Capability Scotland said many families still feel they lack the choices others take for granted.

Scotland's largest disability organisation is calling on the Scottish Executive to do more to recognise the added complexities of family life when caring for a disabled child.

However, the executive insisted that it was committed to expanding childcare places for children with special needs

The New Opportunities Fund, which distributes National Lottery cash, is investing money in childcare projects for all children.

More choice

However, it admitted that there were added difficulties with disabled children because of the cost of training staff and buying equipment.

Capability Scotland wants to see more childcare places provided after school and during the holidays.

The organisation argued that this would benefit the child and give parents more choice and flexibility when it comes to employment and lifestyle.

We need the Scottish Executive to do more to recognise the complexities of work and family life for parents of a disabled child Michelle Hegarty Capability Scotland

It published a report, entitled Nobody Ever Wants To Play With Me, on Monday.

Nearly 50% of those who responded to a poll carried out by Capability Scotland said they did not work because they care for their disabled child.

Almost 70% of working parents relied on family members to care for the child - and half of them did so because of a lack of suitable or affordable childcare.

Director of communications Michelle Hegarty acknowledged that there were initiatives in place which attempted to address some of the issues.

"But our survey reports that parents perceive that there has been little improvement," she said.

"Often the choice to work or not is effectively made for them because of the lack of appropriate childcare and after and out-of-school opportunities for children and young people.