Moving towards a stronger, more resilient Scotland
- Written by: — Associate Director (Sensory)
- Published: 12th October 2022
Exploring a sensory approach towards stronger protection for rights and inclusive communications.
In its Programme for Government 2022-23, the Scottish Government has committed to introducing a “world leading Human Rights Bill”. It also progresses the need for inclusive communication. I welcome this and am a keen supporter of both and how these commitments will incorporate four United Nations Human Rights treaties into Scots law. The Scottish Sensory Hub is working to bridge all these competing processes. The Scottish Sensory Hub .
If I look at the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) then it is easy to make lifestyle links. Economic, social, and cultural rights include rights such as the right to health, the right to adequate food, clothing and housing, and the right to take part in cultural life. We need to ensure that information, communication and mobility are threaded through the solutions and changes a rights-based approach will enable.
More information will be available in a variety of community languages and include British Sign Language. A range of useable formats too. A very basic but essential staring point is the right to good quality information.
The communication barriers will be better understood. No more impenetrable door entry systems that are audio or visual only. Similarly, more inclusive audio-visual fire and alarm systems and even the white goods in our kitchens will be more user friendly. These are everyday obstacles not only reduce the quality of life but create chronic stresses and harms that are currently normalized and underestimated.
My ideal will include sensory alignment with recent Scottish policy developments, such as the creation of a Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People, the development of a National Care Service, the movement towards 20 minute Neighbourhoods, and a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It would be great to see specific emphasis on sensory loss more generally but specifically age related dual sensory loss, managing people affected by sensory loss in public spaces and how we support people in the workplace for longer.
In the meantime, we can ensure that people are adequately informed about people’s right to food, supporting people living with dementia and other long term conditions, empowering and supporting unpaid carers, and providing peer support to people experiencing sensory loss, loneliness, social isolation or bereavement.
When we consider how we can secure stronger protection for economic, social, and cultural rights in going forward do not forget the impact or frequency of Sensory Loss and factor it in plans.
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