Scotland’s vision impairment sector faces some pressing challenges that impact people’s ability to live fully and independently. Vision loss affects many areas of life, from daily tasks and communication to employment, education, and social activities. Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans welcome the findings of the recent Vision Impairment Support Workforce Review, which highlights key gaps preventing the sector from reaching its full potential. Limited training, a shortage of specialised professionals, and inconsistent service availability are among the main obstacles creating challenges for the 180,000 Scots living with significant sight loss—a figure anticipated to double by 2050.
Current Gaps and the Need for Improvement
The review highlighted that Scotland’s vision impairment services can be fragmented, and training options are limited, creating an imbalance in the support people receive. Currently, there is no recognised training programme for Vision Rehabilitation and Habilitation specialists based in Scotland, and the only accessible programmes are based in England. This makes training expensive and difficult for many Scottish professionals to access, contributing to staffing shortages and long wait times for services. These challenges impact the quality and consistency of support that people with vision impairment need to thrive.
A centralised, Scottish-based training programme could make a meaningful difference, offering a streamlined, accessible path for those who want to enter or upskill within the field.
A Vision for a More Accessible Support System
A centralised, Scottish-based training programme could make a meaningful difference, offering a streamlined, accessible path for those who want to enter or upskill within the field. By creating a centre of excellence with the support of the government, we can enable Vision Rehabilitation and Habilitation training that serves Scotland’s specific needs, making sure that professionals are well-prepared to support people across the country. With this in place, more people would have quicker, easier access to specialists, improving outcomes for those living with vision impairment.
Taking Steps Toward Positive Change
By focusing on a well-rounded, local training framework and creating clear pathways for support, Scotland could reduce service inconsistencies and offer people the kind of help they need, wherever they live. With this collaborative effort between the Scottish government, educational institutions, and vision impairment organisations, Scotland can build a stronger support system. This would help ensure that people with vision impairment can live with greater independence, dignity, and connection to their communities, today and for years to come.
The Role of the Scottish Vision Services Steering Group (SVSSG)
The Scottish Vision Services Steering Group (SVSSG) is a consortium of key organisations formed in 2021 to address these sector challenges. With members including Visibility Scotland, Sight Scotland, the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network (RWPN), Thomas Pocklington Trust, RNIB Scotland, Guide Dogs, and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), SVSSG seeks to improve service provision and training for those with sight loss. As part of this mission, SVSSG commissioned Visibility Scotland, a national sight loss charity, to conduct an in-depth review of Scotland’s current workforce supporting people of all ages with vision impairment. This research has focused on understanding professional roles, responsibilities, and the training opportunities that exist for those working in the field.
Download the Vision Impairment Support Workforce Review
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