Scottish Sensory Hub review 2022

The Scottish Sensory Hub work focusses on three key themes: Communication, Information and Mobility.

These three themes are pivotal in connecting people with sensory loss to their local communities and wider society.

Building on the work and legacies of SCOVI (Scottish Council on Vision Impairment) and deafscotland, the Scottish Sensory Hub is gaining recognition as a catalyst for positive change through collaboratively working with organisations, professionals, people with lived and living experience and Scottish Government.

Promotion and support for the See Hear Strategy Implementation and British Sign Language [BSL] Plans continues nationally and locally, through the See Hear Leads Network. Local plans are facilitating equal access to services, social inclusion and participation of people with sensory loss from birth and throughout the life course and promote and support the universal development of British Sign Language respectively.

The Scottish Visual Services Steering Group was established in partnership with Visibility Scotland, Sight Scotland, RNIB Scotland, Guide Dogs and the Rehabilitation Workers’ Professional Network with the shared goal of reinstating the Vision Rehabilitation qualification pathway in Scotland, previously offered by Glasgow Caledonian university. Successful reinstatement of the Graduate Low Vision Rehabilitation Course commences January 2023, for a 20 student cohort from Third Sector and Health and Social Care Partnerships. Additional funding supports a 50% subsidy per student.

The Cross Party Group on Deafness Secretariat continues with topics such as the National Audiology Review, National Lip Reading strategy, development of a definition of Deafblindness and Educational Attainment of children and young people affected by deafness, with actions  progressed via sector working groups. The Hub is an active participant in the Cross Party Group on Sight Loss, where concerns regarding provision and delivery of Vision Rehabilitation Services for people affected by sight loss are a priority issue and it continues to support the Managed Clinical Networks for Children and Young People with Hearing Loss and Sight Loss; VINCYP and HINCYP.

The Sight Loss Research Network, brings academics, third sector and voices of lived and living experience together to inform, influence and co-design research projects.

Similarly, the SIPA2 Study, explores access to pharmacy, medication and appropriate use of medication by older people [over 65 years-old] with sensory loss. Study outcomes will assist equal access to pharmacy, medication, information and development of assistive technology to support medicines compliance by people with sensory loss.

Digital integration testing and research includes the UK multi centred academic, multidisciplinary and cross sector COG-Mhear research programme and Scottish Government CivTech Challenge.

International collaboration continues with the Nordic Cognition Network for Deafblindness and pioneering adoption of the Tactile Working memory Scale and sharing the Scottish Sensory Hub collaborative developments at ICIC22.

The 2023 Scottish Sensory Hub Work Plan and outcomes are emerging informed by progress, previous experience and learning.

We said goodbye to two team members, acknowledging their contributions and welcome new colleagues. Collaborative and partnership working will coalesce the Scottish Sensory Hub and sensory loss sectors and contribute to continued and enhanced impact.

Thank you to everyone involved and we look forward to working with you.

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