Sensory support

See Hear is the national, 10 year strategic framework for sensory impairment in Scotland supporting both children and adults promoting a seamless multi-agency approach to assessment, care and support. The Scottish Government has worked with partners including local authorities, health boards and the third sector to develop a Scottish Sensory Impairment Strategy.

Sensory impairment includes varying degrees of hearing loss, sight loss and loss of both senses including those at risk of sensory loss and those who may be living with hidden and untreated loss which may be present in people with learning disabilities or conditions such as dementia or stroke.

It is estimated that 1 in 6 of the population of Scotland has a hearing loss, 1 in 30 of the population of Scotland has a significant sight loss and that an estimated 5,000 people in Scotland have dual sensory loss. The majority of people with a sensory impairment are older people and, with an ageing population, the expectation is that the number of people who experience sensory loss at some time in their lives will increase. People who experience sensory loss may also have another condition for which they receive medical care. (Information extracted from See Hear: A Framework for meeting the needs of people with a sensory impairment in Scotland).

The strategy is currently undergoing a refresh, with publication due in February 2025. In preparation a Lived Experience Consultation took place.  The results of this consultation was published on 19 December 2023.

Locally, work continues to focus on the specific recommendations made in the framework.  Information, communication and mobility are key features of the framework.