The Scottish Sensory Hub roundup 2024

The Scottish Sensory Hub has worked to raise sensory awareness and influence systems change, grounded in lived experience.

Over 2024, the Scottish Sensory Hub (SSH) has carried out a wide range of work to improve sensory awareness and support across Scotland.

Milestones include:

• The SSH published report on BSL local plans, assessing legislative compliance and content of plans from the 99 listed authorities mentioned in the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015. We were invited to share findings with the Scottish Government BSL Implementation Advisory Group, and approached by several listed authorities for further support, including Audit Scotland, the Scottish Information Commissioner, and the Ethical Standards Commissioner.
  
• We completed lived experience research on behalf of Scottish Government into people with sensory impairment’s experiences of accessible information on Self-directed Support (SDS). We worked with Social Work Scotland to embed recommendations and learning in the review of SDS Standards, SDS Library, and SDS toolkit, and with Self Directed Support Scotland to include within the SDS Handbook.
  
• We completed lived experience research on behalf of Scottish Government on ethnic minority people’s experiences of living with sensory impairment in Scotland, to inform the new See Hear Strategy. Report published and shared widely and used by Social Work Scotland in the review of SDS Standards.
  
• We carried out independent research on behalf of Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS) to assess Deaf and Deafblind people’s experiences accessing Social Security Scotland. Findings and recommendations were welcomed by SCoSS, and further work is planned for 2025.
  
• We worked with National Deaf Children’s Society on joint response to Education (Scotland) Bill, highlighting need to consider BSL within language planning in education.
  
• We developed material for a campaign on inclusive communication as a gateway to human rights. Started a SLWG with representation from across the sector to support the launch of the campaign in 2025.
  
• We provided tailored assistance to five Self Management Fund projects to support them in improving their inclusive communication practice. We also liaised with NHS24 and provided feedback on website accessibility, which was used to improve accessibility for screen reader users.
  
• We obtained seedcorn funding from the William Grant Foundation to scope and develop proposals for a Scottish Sensory Fund. The Scottish Sensory Fund aims to encourage systems change in the approach to sensory support in Scotland, and finance the development of innovative and preventative support services that are inclusive of peoples’ needs.
  
• We provided the Secretariat for the Cross-Party Group on Deafness. Started a new joint short life working group between the CPGs on Deafness and Visual Impairment, on dementia and sensory care. The dementia and sensory care SLWG is developing a framework of sensory care standards to provide a best practice guide for use in care homes and care at home services.
  
• We are active members of a wide range of external groups, including: the CPG on Visual Impairment, Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People, Hearing Impairment Network for Children and Young People, BSL Implementation Advisory Group, Audiology Implementation Delivery Group, Sensory Loss in Social Care Advisory Group, Dementia Strategy SLWG, Visual Impairment Sport, Deaf Sport, and GIRFEC Advisory Group.

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