A forum for blind and partially sighted young people will launch their own audio CD in Holyrood today that urges more citizens to engage with the Scottish Parliament.
The new CD, written and produced by members of 'Haggeye', lists ten top ways to influence the activity of the Parliament and make your voice heard by MSPs.
A copy of the CD will be presented to Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP by Haggeye's giant 'haggis' mascot at today's launch event in Holyrood .
Earlier this year, Haggeye was chosen as one of three groups to join an initiative to widen participation in the Parliament in its tenth anniversary year.
Sixteen year-old Gemma Mackintosh from Inverness, the forum's chair, said: "Blind and partially sighted young people are typically under-represented in political life, but we've been really encouraged by how easy it is to engage with the system in Holyrood and express your views.
"We strongly believe the Scottish Parliament should be for everyone, of all ages and abilities. That's why we wanted to put across in our CD how everyone, not just people with sight loss, can play a part in the democratic process and help shape the kind of Scotland they want to live in."
Gemma, who has albinism, went on: "A major aim of Haggeye is to campaign for better services for blind and partially sighted people. The skills and knowledge we've gained by participating in this project will be really valuable in achieving this."
As well as Haggeye, the other two partner groups taking part in the Community Partnerships Project were Action for Children and Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd.
Press Release issued: 8 December 2009.