Services for People with Visual Impairments

People living with a visual impairment across Lanarkshire will benefit from new localised community-based services, with the news that charity Visibility has appointed two new members of staff to deliver and develop services across the area.

The charity, which has been helping people living with sight loss for 160 years, currently delivers a patient support service out of Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride and will now be able to offer follow up support in the community. Lindsay McDowall, Head of Service at Visibility, said: “We’re delighted to welcome two new community-based members of staff to enable us to build on our existing services for people with visual impairments across the region and build connections within communities. Staff will be able to offer advice and information as well as emotional and practical support; such as demonstrating accessible aids and equipment that can help, advice on glare, magnification, using correct lighting and tips on how to manage and cope with sight loss.

“Accessible technology, like smartphones and tablets, has become a huge area of interest recently. Even if you cannot see the screen at all, that is not a barrier for using these devices. Our staff will have the knowledge to help people unlock the potential of these devices and develop their skills to use these devices to keep in touch with friends and family, navigate safely when out and about, or even read your mail and birthday cards to you!

“People will also get to hear about other services and can be signposted to other organisations for additional support plus find out what’s going on generally in their local area. The aim is that they leave feeling better informed and connected to their communities, tackling loneliness and isolation.

“For those hard to reach people who may live a distance from services or find it difficult to attend one of the community-based settings, one-to-one visits can be carried out by Community Workers, offering information, advice and practical support at home as well as emotional support to those struggling to come to terms with their diagnosis.”

Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, said: “I was absolutely delighted to meet Lianne & Elizabeth in Hairmyres and hear all about the great service that they offer. So pleased that Visibility are expanding their operation in East Kilbride and across Lanarkshire – I know there are many constituents who could benefit.” For more information call Visibility on 0141 332 4632