Scottish Government announces Ministerial roles for sensory
- Area of Work: Scottish Sensory Hub
- Type: News Item
- Published: 29th May 2026
New appointments for Màiri McAllan, Alison Thewliss, Maree Todd and Simita Kumar.
Following the Scottish election on 7th May 2026, the Scottish Government have now confirmed Ministerial roles for sensory related policy:
- Màiri McAllan MSP has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic. This role covers responsibility for languages, including British Sign Language.
- Simita Kumar MSP has been appointed as Minister for Equalities and International Development. This role covers responsibility for Disability.
- Alison Thewliss MSP has been appointed as Minister for Community Care. This role covers responsibility for community audiology, community optometry, and “sensory impairment/loss”.
- Maree Todd MSP has been appointed as Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs. This role covers responsibility for augmentative and alternative communication.
Alison Thewliss and Maree Todd will provide Ministerial support to Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care.
The ALLIANCE welcomes Màiri McAllan, Simita Kumar, Alison Thewliss, Maree Todd and Angela Constance to their new roles and looks forward to working with them to uphold the human rights of everyone in Scotland living with Deafness, Deafblindness or Visual Impairment.
End of page.
You may also like:
New guidance supports Audiology services to design and develop clinical peer review schemes to support quality assurance.
Continue readingRegister for this paid Advisory Panel opportunity
Continue readingTake a short survey to share your experiences
Continue readingLearn about this new way NDCS are supporting families.
Continue readingShare your experiences of accessing and using NHS Lothian services by survey or focus group.
Continue readingSign up to participate in this co-design study
Continue readingImproved voting accessibility for people with Visual Impairment
Continue readingReport calls on the UK Government to ensure Access to Work is fully accessible .
Continue readingHelp shape the new guidelines
Continue readingHelp future technology become more accessible
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has produced a report for the Scottish Parliament's Cross-party Group on Deafness.
Continue readingTake part in participant-led rail journey research
Continue readingAs part of our 20 year anniversary, we celebrate the Scottish Sensory Hub, the important work they do, and why it matters.
Continue readingTake part in this survey if you have a long term condition, are Deaf, Deafblind or have a Visual Impairment
Continue readingLearn more about the Parkrun BSL glossary and YouTube video series
Continue readingFind Lipreading classes local to you
Continue readingPaid internship opportunity for school leavers with Visual Impairment
Continue readingAn examination of the role of social workers in alleviating stigma experienced by members of the Deaf community in Ireland and the UK
Continue readingThis study is for young people aged 12–16 years living in Scotland, who are Blind or have Severe Sight Impairment
Continue readingOnline toolkit makes it easier for people to communicate with public services.
Continue readingThe Scottish Diabetic eye screening programme checks for diabetic retinopathy - when diabetes causes Visual Impairment
Continue readingTwo key Peppa Pig episodes to air on TV in March 2026
Continue readingLet the British Society of Audiology know about your activities for marking the largest global awareness campaign on hearing loss
Continue readingRead manifestos from organisations representing Deafness, Deafblindness and Vision Impairment in Scotland
Continue readingLearn more about the UK’s biggest collection of eye health and sight loss data
Continue reading