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Listening and responding to people affected by sight loss in the west of Scotland

News

Our Summer Newsletter

Our Summer 2008 newsletter is now available, you can download it from these pages or if you would prefer to recieve a copy through the post please contact us on 0141 332 4632 or email info@visibility.org.uk and we will add you to the mailing list. The newsletter is available in Large Print (16 or 22 point), Audio Tape, Braille Formats or as a word or text document on floppy disc or CD

Download PDF version 335K

Download MS Word version 165K


Go Walks

Go! Active have undertaken a number of walks over the past few months. The groups are made up of visually impaired people their friends and family and a few guide dogs too!

The walks are intended for all abilities and offer people a chance to mix with other people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere whilst getting fitter and enjoying the fresh air and countryside.

Previous walks have taken in the gardens of Rouken glen Park, the beauty of the falls of Clyde and the mud of part of the West Highland Way. Future walks are going to be more further a field to take in more of the great Scottish coast and countryside.

If you are interested in coming along or would like more information, please contact the Go! Team on 0141 572 0743

Go Gets out and about

Photograph of young people enjoying residential weekend

10 young people from Visibility’s GO project recently got away from it all for a weekend of outdoor activities at Lochgoilhead.

Lochgoilhead Centre was a superb venue. Great staff, good facilities and excellent activities. The activities included, Kayaking, Abseiling, a night walk, sailing, speed boat driving and climbing a outdoor 50ft ladder with ropes. The children were encouraged to take part in the widest possible range of activities over the weekend, choosing those activities which appealed to them most.

All the activities were a huge hit with the kids and the weekend a huge success, with the children having great fun, making friends and overcoming personal challenges, all of which has given them increased confidence and reduced the feeling of isolation often caused by having significant sight loss.

Sealladh

Photograph of man using neuro vision technology

Visibility’s, new Sealladh project is for ex-service men and women who have acquired a brain injury and may be experiencing visual difficulties as a result. Research suggests there is a common link between sight loss and head injury.

Sealladh uses pioneering Neuro Vision Technology developed in Australia to assess the person’s visual abilities using a non-invasive training package, we will then work with the person to develop a training rehabilitation programme teaching systematic static scanning techniques.

This innovative and creative service is a unique opportunity for ex- service people to access a service that will support them to achieve their desired level of independence. Sealladh has been funded by the Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded and covers the West of Scotland.

For More Information on Sealladh please call Laura Campbell on 0141 332 4632.

First Bus Drivers' Fundraising Walk

Glasgow First Bus

Three Glasgow First Bus Drivers, Leo Marsh, John Ramage and Ray Hamilton are getting out their walking boots in aid of Visibility.   The Members of First Scotstoun Walking Club are planning to walk the Speyside way, they are hoping to cover the 73 miles from Buckie to Aviemore between the 4th and 9th of May 2008.  If you would like to sponsor them on-line please go to www.justgiving.com/speywalk

2007 Annual Review

Annual Review Cover

Visibility’s 2007 Annual Review is now available for download, if you would like to recieve a print, Braille or tape copy of the report please email info@visibility.org.uk or call us on 0141 332 4632.



Peer Support extended to more areas

Visibility’s Community Support Team has piloted Peer Support Sessions in East Dunbartonshire and is now extending these sessions to other local authorities.

These sessions provide the opportunity for participants to share experiences with other people while receiving information about topics related to visual impairment. Examples of topics that have been covered include Registration, Low Vision aids, and information on benefits. All talks are relevant to the local authority that the sessions take place in, so that participants become more aware of the services that are accessible to them. The meetings are user led so that the subjects covered are decided by the group and are relevant to the groups interests.

The groups are open to friends and family members and offer a relaxed and friendly environment. There is also the opportunity to talk directly with professionals and Visibility staff should you have any specific questions that you would like answered.

If you are interested and would like to find out more or would like groups to take place in your area, please telephone the team on 0141 572 0746.


Visibility – Echolocation in the news

Dan Kish

Visibility has recently been featured on television news reports informing viewers of the visit of Dan Kish and Brian Bushway to Scotland to work with us in the exciting new field of echolocation. You can view the reports through the links below, More details and information regarding the project will be added over the coming weeks.

Scotland Today

Newsnight Scotland

Go! Project – Volunteer Recruitment

Go! Youth and Teens are recruiting NOW!  We need active, responsive people who are ready and willing to participate in our diverse activities.  You might find yourself at a theme park with our 8-14 year Youth programme, or you might end up on a boat sailing round the West coast of Scotland, the opportunities, like the rewards, are endless.

There are 24 Teens and 12 Youth events every year, all of which require the commitment and support of our volunteers who provide essential assistance to our blind and visually impaired service users.  Volunteers assist by acting as sighted guides, reading menus, describing locations and providing cues to encourage the group to interact and get the most out of the event.

If you feel this is the right opportunity for you and you can bring us some unique skills, then please contact

Rosemary Cameron, Volunteer Co-ordinator - email Rosemary Cameron

Michelle Thomson , Go! Co-ordinator - email Michelle

You can also contact us at the Visibility office on 0141 332 4632.

Visual Impairment Awareness Training – New dates announced.

Our next Visual Impairment Awareness Training is being held on Wednesday 25th June 2008 from 10am to 3.30pm.
Other dates available for the rest of the year

  • Wed 25 June
  • Thursday 11 Sept
  • Thursday 9 Oct
  • Thursday 13 Nov
  • Thursday 4 Dec

Training sessions are held quarterly at Visibility’s offices but if demand is high it is possible to slot in an extra session. Maximum group size is 12 and cost is £55 per person including lunch.

The programme includes:

  • Myths and realities of visual impairment.
  • Visual Impairment and Common Eye Conditions
  • Practical Exercises with Simulation Spectacles

    • Lunch

  • Visual Impairment in relation to the work environment
  • Adapting the environment
  • Accessibility
  • Effective Communication
  • Sighted guiding of a blind person

Training Overview

Training Pages

It is also possible to provide in house training and the content of the training can be adapted to the specific requirements of an organisation.

For any further information and bookings, please contact Andrea on 0141 332 4632 or email Andrea Vanlanschoot

Volunteer Befrienders recognised in Local Heroes awards

Volunteers at EventSeveral representatives from Visibility’s befriending team attended the Evening Times Local Heroes Gala Lunch on 19th April at the City Chambers.

Although the group did not win overall, it was a great achievement for all the volunteer befrienders to be recognised as finalists in the the Breaking Down Barriers category.


Art Class entries for 7th Helen Keller International Award

flower artwork

Several pieces of work were recently entered for the 7th Helen Keller International Award by members of Visibility's arts and crafts class, The pieces by Ann McGurk, Elizabeth Roden and Mary McDaid can be seen in the gallery of entries which can be viewed here

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