News

Clear Vision Sought for Sight Problems - 18 Mar 2003

For too long the sight problems of people with learning difficulties have been neglected but next week a major confab of health agencies and organisations sets out to tackle the issue. Commercial Development Officer Colin Baird will be manning our stand for the two-day conference on the 18th and 19th March 2003.

People with learning difficulties are more likely to have sight problems than the general population, underline organisers Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, and RNIB Scotland. Moreover, these sight problems are often undiagnosed and untreated.

The Bridge to Vision is the first event of its kind in Scotland, and has attracted keynote speakers with a wide range of expertise from across Britain and beyond. Participants include health care, social work and education professionals from the statutory and voluntary sectors and from the universities.

The conference will address the practical difficulties of assessing sight problems in children and adults with learning difficulties, the role of health and social work professionals and the means of communicating with carers and supporting them in their work.

Mike Cairns of RNIB Scotland declared: "I believe that raising awareness of the issue will be the first step towards improving quality of life."