MSP for Central Scotland and Communities Minister, Alex Neil is to visit a state-of-the-art facility in Camelon today for people with sight and /or hearing loss.
Mr Neil will be given a tour of the Forth Valley Sensory Centre, which provides a range of advice, assessment, rehabilitation and mobility services for clients and their carers and service-providers.
Uniquely, the centre is owned and managed by a partnership between the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland, Royal National Institute for Deaf People, NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Council, Stirling Council, Clackmannanshire Council and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
The Centre contains
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a resource area with aids and equipment for sale
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a health suite with a low vision room and audiology room
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an IT room with the latest software for deaf, blind and deaf-blind users
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a recording studio to put information onto audio tape and CD
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a transcription service to provide it in braille and large print
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and a café.
John Legg, director of RNIB Scotland, said: "The Forth Valley Sensory Centre is a lifeline for many people with a sensory impairment and embodies exactly the type of 'one-stop shop' service that the Government wants to see operating across Scotland.
"The accent is very much on helping people to engage with the world as fully and independently as possible. We're delighted Alex Neil is taking the opportunity to see the state-of-the-art facility we have here."
Delia Henry, director of RNID Scotland, said: "The Centre will benefit thousands of people in Forth Valley who are deaf or have a hearing loss. We are delighted that the Communities Ministers is getting the opportunity to find out what the Centre is doing to meet their needs and build up their confidence. The Forth Valley Sensory Centre is a great example of partnership-working that offers life changing and innovative services to people in the area."
Press Release issued: 20 November 2009.