Visibility Souvenir Review 1859/2009 listening and responding to people affected by sight loss in the west of Scotland for 150 years “Blind persons [will be] visited as often as their special circumstances may require by paid agents of the mission.[...].as often as possible. Those who cannot read in raised type, and are capable of learning, shall be taught and have the means of instruction supplied free of charge; also the use of a well-selected library for all who can read, either in Moon’s or in Alstons’s type. Employment of some kind being essential to their happiness, it shall be a special object of the Mission to help them to that, by kindly persuading them to seek such employment as they may be fit for, and recommending them to employers. Those who may betake themselves to making articles for sale shall be helped to obtain the necessary materials on the most favourable terms; and also helped to dispose of the articles so made to the best advantage.” Our rules in 1870 pioneering | innovating | independence Celebrating 150 years of Visibility In the same year (1859) that Glasgow’s new water scheme opened bringing clean water from Loch Katrine to the city, the charity which is now Visibility first emerged as the ‘Society for Promoting Reading Among the Blind’. Prompted by a desire to alleviate the ‘social distress’ brought about by sight loss, 34 Glasgow philanthropists set up a society ‘to have the blind visited, taught and supplied with the bible and other religious books free of charge’. In the great industrial city and trading port that was Glasgow 150 years ago, public health problems were amongst the worst in Britain. According to our 1861 annual report, the city was in ‘commercial depression’ and we commented on the difficulty of raising enough funds. Sight loss, often caused by accident, infection and disease, typically led to unemployment and destitution. By 1887, we had helped over 150 people to start up small trading pursuits In 1859, the opening of the new municipal water system, the subsequent sewage system, the appointment of medical officers and a programme of slum clearance mirrored a time of considerable industrial and social change. This spirit of innovation and public service was the impetus behind Visibility. Although we have changed our name seven times over the 150 years, our values and pioneering approach remain the same. Drawing on the experience of fifteen decades, Visibility remains forward looking and innovative with an emphasis on encouraging people with sight loss to live full and independent lives. In the latter half of the 19th century, we fostered independence through knitting lessons, a free library and teaching people to read again. By 1887, we had helped over 150 people to start up small trading pursuits. This souvenir review describes four of the services, current and planned, which characterise Visibility today. 1887: Alex Lomond, 42, £4 to buy a barrow and stock of fruit to sell on the street New View | reading again “Mrs McL is daily growing more expert and fluent in reading, and what is of equal consequence, her spirits are much enlivened, and her happiness much increased through it.” 1862 By 1863, we had taught 159 people to read using Moon’s or Alstons’s type, precursors of Braille. In 2008, we are still teaching Braille, but are also pioneering ‘eccentric reading’. This is a simple technique which trains people to use their eyes in a different way and to read using their peripheral vision. We have achieved remarkable results both with elderly people and children. So far, we have trained around 360 people. But because we know just how much eccentric reading can change people’s lives, we want to train as many people of all ages as possible. By learning what they can rather than cannot do, our learners tell of renewed hope and restored skills. As one person said: “It has improved my life in trying to adjust to poor vision. I won’t be stuck, unable to use my mobile, read a menu or a timetable when I’m on my own.” 1919: £3-10/- to buy a sewing machine for patching boots. 1887: George McKenzie 39, £5 to stock a shop and buy a mangle Echolocation | seeing with sound “We travelled on the underground and explored several stations. I walked behind Kieran. It was Saturday afternoon and it was very crowded as there was a football match on. Kieran did extremely well navigating through the crowds.” 2008 In 1924 we presented ‘wireless sets to invalid blind of good character’ and, by 1935, to anyone who requested them. Sound is as important as ever. With Daniel Kish of World Access for the Blind, we trained a group of blind and partially sighted people to become the UK’s first echolocation trainers. Echolocation involves making clicking sounds with the tongue. These sounds bounce off objects allowing blind or visually impaired people to ‘see’ with their ears. We are now teaching ten children aged between five and 19 to use this groundbreaking technique. It helps them explore their environment, developing their independence and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar surroundings. We want to increase the numbers of children we work with and to extend the programme to adults. Echolocation opens up a whole new world. 1873: Eleven young people sent to music college in London Family Network | confident children “I want to allow her to be independent and to use her cane.” 2008 Before the Education (Scotland) Act of 1873 provided education for ‘blind’ children in scottish schools, we managed to get over 24 children placed in mainstream schools. Now, in 2008, Visibility is at the forefront of a new family network initiative which hopes to work with children, their families, schools and communities to ensure that children can become as mobile, confident and independent as possible. Children with visual impairment face many challenges to their developing self-esteem, self-awareness and confidence. Limited opportunities to participate and explore and the need to protect can prevent children from becoming independent adults. Although significant progress has been made to develop mobility and communication techniques for children, many will not develop these skills without the knowledgeable, empowering support of parents, siblings, carers and teachers. Visibility encourages such empowerment. Sealladh Project | neuro-vision technology “One man had roused himself out of a deep lethargic state for the first time.” 1883 During WW2, as an experiment, we persuaded the authorities to allow three ‘blind’ men to work in an aircraft factory. Wars still affect our work. Our new Sealladh project (pronounced Shallach: Gaelic for ‘sight’) assists ex-service personnel who have neurological sight difficulties. Using pioneering neuro-vision technology (NVT), a model developed in Australia, we can assess visual abilities and train people in their own surroundings in outdoor mobility, communication and everyday activities. This increases independence and encourages people to push and challenge their own personal limits or the boundaries which have been imposed on them. We have worked with nine ex-service personnel. We recently started to work with stroke patients. We hope that the Sealladh model will be integrated into treatment options for anyone experiencing sight loss caused by brain injury. 1883: George Miller, 29 , £5 to replace coffee stall damaged in winds Why we support Visibility Visibility has always depended on the help of its supporters. In 1862, income from donations was £40. At just over half of our total annual expenditure, this met the salary of the reading teacher. Legacies and bequests were, and still are, a vital source of funds. Our qualities of reliability, trustworthiness and prudence are as important to supporters today as they ever were. This is what they say: “Visibility gives the opportunity for people to live their lives to the fullest potential – it has enriched thousands of lives during its many years of service and is still as much needed today as it was 150 years ago” Ann McKechin, MP, Glasgow North “I support Visibility because it has a proven track record as a provider of much needed and valued services for blind and.partially sighted children and I hope it continues to do so for many years to come.” Patricia Ferguson, MSP, Maryhill “You provide a lifeline to the outside world for my mother and are the highlight of her week. . We donate as often as we can in a small way to say a huge thank you. Mum will consider leaving a gift to Visibility to enable you to carry on the wonderful work that you do.” Mrs G and family “Visibility provides fantastic servicesto adults and children so I had a fundraising night to help raise funds and promote Visibility within my local community.” Susan Crombie, Visibility administrator “Visibility provides a unique, specialised, skilled, private and confidential service to patients who are usually at their most vulnerable time in their lives. We do not know what we would do without it...” Dr Mahmood Rahman, Ophthalmologist, Gartnavel Hospital “We like the work that you do and are very pleased to hold a Visibility collecting can.” Café Deco “Visibility are just wonderful, wellorganised, warm and friendly people to work with.” Tracy Stewart, Greggs the Bakers “I used your services. I wanted to contribute to Visibility and, as funds can only stretch so far, a sponsored swim was a way I could help.” Alan Graham “I thought it must be really hard for people and wanted to help so we saved 1ps and 2ps and gave them to Visibility.” Sarah Lappin, age 9, Scotstoun Primary School “We have been delighted to fund the Sealladh project. It is a great example of the forward-thinking approach that is needed in order to make a real difference to people’s lives.” Richard Hellewell, Chief Executive,Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded “We support Visibility because of the way you support patients. It is not only medical help they need.” Staff nurse Please support Visibility Help us make a lasting difference by contributing to our plans to: • Offer our vital services to people of all ages • Employ a dedicated children and family worker • Extend echolocation to more children and also to adults • Produce a schools pack to teach children and teachers about visual impairment This will mean we can continue our valuable work in keeping people affected by sight loss as independent as possible. In 1959, we used collecting cans. We still do. But now you can support our work easily and for free by making www.everyclick.com/visibility your home page “45 people were taken to Kirn for the day paid for by a benevolent Christian lady. “They revelled in (nature’s) melodious sounds and the exhilarating influences of the bright beams of the sun...” 1871 “Visibility has been wonderful for my mother in so many ways. Giving a twice weekly service in a caring manner, taking her into the outside world, letting her know the joy of feeling the wind on her face and the constant loyalty and friendship from such a wonderful team.” 2008 Visibility - listening and responding to people affected by sight loss in the west of Scotland for 150 years This review is available in alternative formats. Please contact us for details. Visibility 2 Queens Crescent Glasgow G4 9BW T: 0141 332 4632 F: 0141 353 2981 E: info@visibility.org.uk www.visibility.org.uk Visibility is the trading name of GWSSB (formerly Glasgow and the West of Scotland Society for the Blind). GWSSB is a company, registered in Scotland, limited by guarantee with its registered office at 2 Queens Crescent, Glasgow, being a recognised Scottish Charity. Registration Number: SC 116522 Scottish Charity Number : SCO 09738 Copyright Visibility 2008