0141 332 4632The number of people living with vision impairment (blind and partially sighted) is predicted to double in the next 25 years. In addition, the pandemic impacted NHS waiting times, with many missing sight-saving treatments.
On the balance of probabilities, the number of people living with vision impairment will likely double sooner than originally predicted.
Increased demand for services and a stretched health and social care sector have resulted in services that lack the required connectivity between providers to deliver seamless and equitable service provision across Scotland.
This results in inconsistent outcomes and fragmented services. In short, services across Scotland remain inequitable.
The Scottish Vision Services Steering Group (SVSSG) survey 2023/24 highlighted the sector’s concern over the lack of a professional service and educational framework.
As such, we require evidence of the impact of current service provision to ensure that the sector continues to meet the needs of vision-impaired people in Scotland and affect lasting change.
The Scottish Vision Services Steering Group (SVSSG) has partnered with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and the University of Melbourne in Australia (UoM) to undertake a first-of-its-kind international research study to evaluate the impact of vision rehabilitation and habilitation services on individuals’ quality of life.
Find out more about vision rehabilitation and habilitation via the links at the bottom of this article.
This groundbreaking research could significantly impact service delivery and drive positive service change for the foreseeable future.
The IVI Study will highlight areas that are working well and areas of unmet need. The goal is to create a seamless vision support pathway for vision-impaired individuals regardless of age and stage of life.
We hope the data will provide the evidence to enforce policy change. Scotland needs a regulated vision support pathway that everyone can access.
More information on the study can be found by clicking the link below:
The Scottish Vision Services Steering Group – Thomas Pocklington Trust
How to get involved
We need your help to make the study a success. Vision-impaired individuals and organisations can both get involved.
Organisations
If your organisation provides vision rehabilitation and/or habilitation and is based in Scotland, we want you to be involved!
Sign up to participate in the study at the link below:
IVI Study Sign-Up for Organisations
Individuals with lived experience
If you are vision-impaired and receive rehabilitation or habilitation support from any of the organisations listed below, contact them to learn how to participate.
List of participating organisations
The organisations listed below are participating in this study. If you are vision-impaired and receiving rehabilitation or habilitation support from them, contact them directly to find out how to participate.
Argyll and Bute Sensory Impairment Team.
Sensory Impairment Service – Argyll and Bute Council
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK – Contact Us
Deafblind Scotland
Deafblind Scotland – Contact Us
Dumfries and Galloway Council Sensory Support Team
How do you access the service? – Dumfries and Galloway Council
East Ayrshire Council Sensory Impairment Service
Sensory impairment service – East Ayrshire Council
North Ayrshire Council Sensory Impairment Team
North Ayrshire Council Sensory Impairment Team
South Ayrshire Council Sensory Team
South Ayrshire Sensory Services
North East Sensory Services
North East Sensory Services – Contact Us
Scottish Sensory Centre, University of Edinburgh
Scottish Sensory Centre – Contact Us
Seescape
Glasgow City Council Sensory Support Services
Sensory Support Services – Glasgow City Council
Sight Scotland
Get In Touch With Sight Scotland
Sight Scotland Veterans
The City of Edinburgh Council Additional Support for Learning Service
Inclusion and wellbeing – The City of Edinburgh Council
Visibility Scotland
Visibility Scotland – Contact Us
VisionPK
Our friendly team will be happy to answer any questions about the study.
E: info@nullvisibilityscotland.org.uk
Vision Rehabilitation and Habilitation
Vision Rehabilitation Specialists, also known as Rehabilitation Workers or ROVIs, provide person-centred support and training to adults with vision impairment.
The overarching aim of the support is to increase independence and enhance quality of life through education, training, and the implementation of aids and adaptations.
A Habilitation Specialist supports and trains children with vision impairment and their families.
Rehabilitation and habilitation are two distinct, separate disciplines under one professional umbrella. Both teach a similar range of independence skills, but the way and context in which they are delivered require two different approaches.
Both disciplines provide support and training programs designed for the following categories: orientation and mobility, activities of daily living (to increase independence and safety within the home), communication, assistive technology, education, and employment.
The role of a Vision Rehabilitation and Habilitation Specialist is diverse. Every day is different. The essential qualities of the profession are creativity and a solutions-focused approach.
Although occupational therapy and vision rehabilitation disciplines have many similarities, the profession of vision rehabilitation is unique.
Posted on the: April 2, 2025
