Scottish Borders Sensory Services

06/11/2025

The perfect phone for seniors and anyone who is hard of hearing. Big buttons help with dexterity issues while making the numbers easier to read and press. The Swissvoice Xtra 2355 is an easy-to-use amplified (40dB) cordless phone with an answering machine and a call- block facility. Also available as a duo set with additional handset. Click here for more information: https://www.sarabec.com/search-results/?q=2355

27/10/2025

Pop along to Borders General Hospital on Monday 10th November between 10.30am & 2pm where Paul from Scottish Borders Sensory Services will be there alongside RNIB

NHS Borders
Scottish Borders Council
RNIB Scotland

We’re bringing local support events to Lochaber and the Borders!

Blind and partially sighted residents in Fort William and Hawick will soon be able to access in-person support and information at our upcoming local events.

The free ‘Living With Sight Loss’ Information Events will offer advice, guidance and hands-on demonstrations of accessible products and technology, such as magnifiers, to help make everyday activities easier. Visitors can also find out more about local services and support available to people living with sight loss, their friends and family members.

Event details:

Fort William Library, Lochaber – Tuesday 28 October, 2pm to 4:30pm,
In collaboration with Highlife Highland Libraries and Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services.

Hawick Library, Scottish Borders – Thursday 6 November, 10:30am to 1:30pm

RNIB Scotland Project Support Officer Ian White said:

“We’re looking forward to meeting blind and partially sighted people in Lochaber and the Borders, and to provide more information about support in their area.

“Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you’ve engaged with services before, you are new to sight loss and seeking support, or perhaps you’re a family member or friend. We’d like to ensure every person with sight loss in Scotland has access to the support they need.”

For more information about support for low vision or sight loss, contact RNIB Scotland at rnibscotland@rnib.org.uk or call 0303 123 9999.

[Image description: Ian and Gail from RNIB Scotland stand together at a Living With Sight Loss Information Event. Behind them is a bright pink RNIB Scotland display table with various assistive items and informational materials.]

25/10/2025

100-Night Trial

23/10/2025

17/10/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP4WVdPCnfF/?igsh=MWVubDI5bm85am81dw==

13/10/2025

History in the making! 🙌

The British Deaf Association has officially backed The School of Signs. a brand-new, free BSL programme created by Signature, in collaboration with RAD, ITV Signpost, and 2Simple.

Every lesson is designed and delivered by Deaf BSL users, giving schools across the UK the chance to introduce pupils to sign language and Deaf culture in the most authentic way possible.

This is a huge step forward for inclusion, communication, and awareness in education👏

Congratulations to everyone involved for making BSL accessible to all, and to every school ready to open the door to a signing generation! 🤟

🔗 To learn more and sign up: https://theschoolofsigns.org.uk/

Royal Association for Deaf people British Deaf Association Signature Deaf ITV Signpost

13/10/2025

👁️‍🗨️ Blindness: Myths vs Reality 💭

So much of what people believe about blindness comes from movies, not real life. Let’s set the record straight:

❌ Myth 1: All blind people see nothing.
✅ Reality: Only around 10–15% of blind people have no light perception. Most have some level of usable vision — like light, colour, or shapes.

❌ Myth 2: Blindness means total dependence.
✅ Reality: Many blind people live fully independent lives — cooking, working, travelling, raising families — thanks to mobility training and assistive tech.

❌ Myth 3: Braille is disappearing.
✅ Reality: Braille is still a cornerstone of literacy. Technology hasn’t replaced it — it’s made it more portable through Braille displays and e-readers.

❌ Myth 4: Guide dogs are the only form of support.
✅ Reality: Guide dogs are one option, but not every blind person uses one. Canes, echolocation, GPS apps, and other tools offer equal independence.

❌ Myth 5: Blind people have “superhuman” hearing.
✅ Reality: Hearing doesn’t become superhuman — the brain simply learns to pay closer attention to sound, space, and rhythm.

❌ Myth 6: Blindness mostly affects older people.
✅ Reality: Vision loss can affect anyone, at any age. Many are born with it or develop it in youth — not just later in life.

❌ Myth 7: You can “spot” someone who’s blind.
✅ Reality: Blindness isn’t always visible. Some people have partial sight and don’t use mobility aids. Never assume based on appearance.

❌ Myth 8: Blind people can’t enjoy visual art or film.
✅ Reality: Audio description, tactile artwork, and creative narration open the visual world in new ways. Art belongs to everyone.

💙 Blindness isn’t a tragedy — it’s part of human diversity.
Let’s replace assumptions with understanding and make accessibility the norm, not the exception.

09/10/2025

🌍 October is Blindness Awareness Month 👁️‍🗨️

Every day, over 2.2 billion people worldwide live with some form of vision impairment — and yet blindness is still one of the most misunderstood disabilities.

Blindness isn’t the end of sight. It’s the beginning of a different kind of vision — one built on sound, touch, intuition, memory, and resilience.

💬 Did you know?
• 90% of people who are blind or visually impaired still have some usable sight.
• Accessibility isn’t a luxury — it’s independence.
• The greatest barrier isn’t blindness itself… it’s assumption.

This month, take a moment to listen, learn, and see the world through a wider lens.
🔵 Ask questions.
🔵 Support inclusive design.
🔵 Amplify blind voices.

Because awareness isn’t about feeling sorry — it’s about seeing differently. 💙