Welcome to Visibility’s Winter Newsletter! As 2017 is coming to an end, we thought we’d give you a quick recap of everything that’s been happening at Visibility throughout the year, and what’s on the calendar looking forward into the New Year…
Access All Areas
The Scottish Maritime Museum invited a focus group to Irvine to chat to their team about making their exhibitions more accessible. The group were given a fascinating tour of the building itself, and the exhibits and artwork on display. Many of the ships were originally Glasgow built, or from as far north as Orkney.
We are really looking forward to the group’s opinions being put in place for future exhibitions, and if you have been to visit The Scottish Maritime Museum they would love your feedback too. Simply contact Fiona Greer on 01294 278283.
CVI Day Success
One of our top highlights this year was the CVI Day back in June which linked up lots of families and provided information from fantastic speakers. We were privileged to have Professor Gordon Dutton, Helen St. Clair Tracy and Nicola McDowell sharing their expert opinions and lived experiences of Cerebral Visual Impairment.
Visibility Stars
In October, the children and families project brought together artists of all ages in an intergenerational project to create three statement pieces which are now displayed in our main office reception area. The tactile artwork is called “Visibility Stars”.
The first canvas is entitled “Where I Was”, the second is called “Where We Are Now” and the final canvas is named “Where I Want To Be”. Brightly coloured paints were used on the canvases, and tissue covered stars were placed in a spiral on top. Each artist added their own thoughts of how they felt in the past, about their sight loss diagnosis, growing up with a visual impairment, and the support they had received from Visibility and other organisations, as well as their personal goals and hopes for the future. All of these ideas have been added to the canvases in different formats including large text, braille and audio clips on talking tin lids, to make the artwork more interactive.
This intergenerational project brought together teenagers and adults to discuss their own experiences, and learn from each other. The artwork is now proudly on display in the reception area at the Visibility Office, and unlike most art, we DO want you to touch it!
Community Learning
We have thoroughly enjoyed the partnerships we have made throughout the year with other charities and organisations. Visual Impairment Awareness Training was delivered to several places including the Citizens Theatre, SAMH, Intu Braehead, and Drink Wise Age Well.
More and more organisations are making positive steps forward to provide accessible workshops and services across Scotland. Intu Braehead shopping centre in Glasgow now has a personal shopping service for blind or partially sighted people – so if you’ve still to get your Christmas shopping finished, give them a call and they will be more than happy to help. We hope that
more organisations will follow in their footsteps.
Celebrations & Revelations!
A retired teacher who was diagnosed with macular degeneration more than a decade ago described an awareness raising talk given by a Visibility supporter as “a revelation”.
Allan Taylor was one of 30 people who heard Charlie Bennett speak about his own experiences of being diagnosed and coming to terms with the condition. Charlie, a volunteer with the Macular Society, delivered talks in Stranraer, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie and Kirkcudbright. His insight into the condition and tips on techniques that could help left Allan wishing he had met the retired policeman and Visibility supporter sooner.
“That was so interesting, I have a much better understanding of how MD is affecting my vision. It was an absolute revelation to speak with Charlie,” said Allan. Buoyed by the impact of the talk, Mr Taylor was keen to try some of the technologies that he learned about on the day. Visibility provided Allan with a CCTV system as part of the Try Before You Buy scheme in Dumfries & Galloway.
Clutching a stack of academic papers and books written by him on the construction of canals in his native Yorkshire and Lancashire, Allan beamed: “Oh, this is wonderful. I haven’t been able to read these for years, the print is so small. This will keep me busy!”
David gets his Diploma
Many of you will know David Logan, who has worked with Visibility in many roles and locations over his 16 year career here at the charity. David has been studying at Glasgow Caledonian University this year, alongside his job, for a Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation. We are very proud to announce that he graduated with flying colours in November. Bravo, Mr Logan!
Let’s get quizzical!
Test your festive knowledge with our Quick-Fire Quiz:
1. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December, but who is the
patron saint remembered on the 26th of December?
2. In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” what did my true love
give to me on the seventh day?
3. From the Dr Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”,
what is the name of the town where The Grinch lives?
4. Who composed the songs for the film White Christmas?
5. What is the name of the traditional Italian Christmas cake?
6. In which country were the first Winter Olympic Games held in 1924?
7. Chionophobia is an abnormal fear of what?
8. Winter anagram: M E N S I T T
9. Winter anagram: L N A L S O W B
10. Winter Anagram: I A B R E T H E N
Answers at the end of this newsletter.
What’s On?
Our offices will be closed from midday on Friday the 22nd of December and we will re-open again on Wednesday the 3rd of January, but here’s a reminder of what’s on when we return!
Join us at a Low Vision Roadshow in the New Year!
Come along and explore the latest products and technologies for blind and partially sighted people.
On Wednesday 31st January we’ll be at Partick Burgh Hall, Lesser Hall, 9 Burgh Hall Street, Glasgow, G11 5LN from 10am – 2:30pm.
On Thursday 1st February we’ll be at the Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DF from 10am – 2:30pm
Each Roadshow will feature various exhibitors such as Visibility, Scottish War Blinded, Macular Society, Deafblind Scotland, Enhanced Vision, Dolphin – assistive technology for life, Lead Scotland, Action on Hearing Loss, Calibre Audio Library and Concept Northern. For further information about these events please call us or contact Dolphin Computer Access on 01905 754 577.
Come along to one of our Peer Support Groups
In January join us in Glasgow on Thursday 11th at the Visibility Office from 10.30am until 12noon, Annan on Tuesday 16th at the Queensferry Hotel from 1:30pm until 3pm and Castle Douglas on Wednesday 17th at the Community Centre on Cotton Street from 2pm until 3:30pm. We will also be in Newton Stewart on Monday 29th at the Cinammon Café from 2pm to 3.30pm, and
Dumfries on Tuesday 30th at the Usual Place on Academy Street from 11am to 1pm.
If you’re free in February we have groups in Lockerbie on Monday 5th at the Kings Arms Hotel from 12.30pm to 2pm, Stranraer on Tuesday 6th at Burns House, Harbour Street from 2pm to 3.30pm and Oban on Wednesday the 7th at the Kilmore & Oban Church Centre from 1pm – 3pm.
We will be in Helensburgh on Friday the 16th at the Meeting Place, in the United Reformed Church from 10.30am to 12noon, meet us in Annan on Tuesday 20th at the Queensferry Hotel from 1.30pm to 3pm, Castle Douglas on Wednesday 21st at the Community Centre on Cotton Street from 2pm until 3.30pm, Newton Stewart on Monday 26th at the Cinammon Café from 2pm to 3.30pm and also Dumfries on Tuesday 27th at the Usual Place on Academy Street from 11am to 1pm.
Finally in March, our groups will be running in Lockerbie on Monday 5th at the Kings Arms Hotel from 12.30pm to 2pm, Stranraer on Tuesday 6th at Burns House, Harbour Street from 2pm until 3.30pm, Glasgow on Thursday 8th at the Visibility Office from 10.30am to 12 noon, Annan on Tuesday 20th at the Queensferry Hotel from 1.30pm to 3pm and Castle Douglas on Wednesday 21st at the Community Centre on Cotton Street from 2pm until. 3.30pm. Or if you’re closer to Newton Stewart, join us on Monday 26th at the Cinammon Café from 2pm until 3.30pm and Dumfries on Tuesday 27th at the Usual Place on Academy Street from 11am to 1pm.
You can also visit our website or call us on 0141 332 4632 to find out the locations and times for future peer support groups.
Other services available include New View, our project for people with central vision loss, helps you make the most of your remaining vision. Here’s what Mr Kelly thought after his appointment: “I can read my mail again, news on the net, and use my mobile phone to read books which I didn’t do before!”
Book an appointment to visit our Resource Room so you can find out about aids and equipment which could help you around the house or on the go by booking an appointment today!
Our Sealladh Project is also here to support people with neurological sight loss, and you can contact us for more information if this would be relevant to you.
Have you got a tablet or smartphone that you would like to learn more about?
Perhaps you don’t have one, but want to know how they could benefit you.
Call our tech team to arrange a one-to-one training session!
Every Tuesday, join our singing or guitar class for only £5. Tutors Billy and Eddie would love you to join in the fun, simply pop in to 2 Queens Crescent from 10am until 12noon for the Guitar class and 1pm until 2.30pm for the vocal class each Tuesday.
Sensory Inspirer’s Success
Our team in Dumfries and Galloway is growing thanks to the sensory inspirer programme. So far this year, 14 local sensory inspirers have
provided one-to-one support to 25 people across the region.
What is a sensory inspirer? I hear you ask. It can be anyone who is living with sight and/or hearing loss who is willing to share their lived experience, along with practical hints and tips, with others.
Our sensory inspirers have been involved in delivering talks to community groups, delivering sensory impairment awareness training to professionals and supporting other people living with sensory loss around technology, aids and equipment and general peer support. We look for people’s strengths and from there we will discuss with them the type of role they would like to undertake. If you would be interested in finding out more about this role, call our D&G team on 01387 267131.
Could you be a Superhero?
Over the last year, Visibility has supported a 9 year old boy called Adam. As a baby, Adam suffered a stroke in the womb which left him with a weakness in his lower and left visual fields, so he grew up feeling disorientated and lost in unfamiliar environments.
Laura, Visibility’s Rehabilitation Practitioner, stepped in to help Adam learn some useful scanning techniques so he could navigate effectively, and ultimately avoid danger and increase his independence.
Adam was the youngest person that Laura had taught to use these scanning
techniques, so it was time for some creative thinking! Instead of brightly coloured post-it notes dotted around the walls of his house, Laura cut out several Marvel superheroes which she used as scanning tools to focus Adam’s attention during their training sessions.
With help from Laura, his parents, teachers, and Superheroes like Captain America, Adam is now more comfortable in new situations and he is able to get around confidently without the fear of bumping into objects or other hazards. Adam’s school is expanding with a new building soon, and he will be given extra support during this transition.
Adam’s Mum said; ‘Laura’s interaction with Adam and the rest of the family was extremely natural and comfortable and we’re very privileged to have been part of the programme Visibility offered.’
This Christmas you can make sure nobody feels lost, like Adam did, by supporting our Superhero appeal. There are lots of ways you can be a Superhero:
➜ Text ‘VISY23 £5’ to 70070 to donate £5
➜ Call us on 0141 332 4632 to make a donation over the phone
➜ Send a cheque to Visibility with the address ‘Superhero Appeal, Visibility,
2 Queens Crescent, Glasgow, G4 9BW’.
➜ Visit our website at www.visibility.org.uk and click Donate
You will be helping the many children and adults with sight loss across the West of Scotland that use Visibility’s services, just like Adam. Thank you for your support.
Keeping in touch
You may or may not know that the Data Protection Laws are changing and
we wanted to tell you what we do with the information we collect about you.
➜ We use the information you tell us about yourself to keep in touch with you and to provide a service.
➜ We never sell your contact information to anyone else.
➜ We only share your information if you give us permission to do so or in an emergency situation where we are concerned for your safety.
➜ You have the right to see what we have recorded about you – just get in touch.
➜ You can remove your name and record from Visibility at any time by just phoning or emailing us.
➜ We treat your personal information confidentially ensuring that our processes protect you as far as possible.
We have been doing a lot of work on this by checking that we are complying with the new law and may be in touch next year to clarify things with you. If you have any questions, please get in touch by phone or email.