Minutes of Scots VIP Meeting
Held on 11th August 2010
Held at Visibility, Glasgow
1.
Present:
Maria Dick – Falkirk Council (Chair)
Richard Mazur – SNFWB (Secretary)
Wendy Jack – West Dunbartonshire Council
Sandra Sabiston – Royal Blind + SWB
Jane Horsburgh – Guide Dogs
Dennis Robertson – Grampian Society for the Blind
Bryn Merchant – RNIB
James Adams - RNIB
Apologies:
Fiona Sandford, Tricia Lafferty, Suzanne Abbate John Gurd, Valerie
Breck..
2.
Minutes of previous meeting:
These were passed as correct.
3.
Matters arising:
Rehabilitation Worker Training:Jane stated that Wendy Rankin was
attempting to find out if any progress was being made with Rehabilitation
Worker training since Tom Muldowney had now left Guide Dogs. Bryn
thought that there had been mention of a new Welsh scheme and agreed
to find out more. There was discussion regarding the training courses at
York, Canterbury and Birmingham and the Secretary agreed to find out
numbers graduating.
Cross Party Group:James Adams explained the process for getting items
on the Cross Party Group agenda, though time constraints meant only two
per meeting could be discussed. The next meeting would be a social event
on 9th September, followed by a meeting on 4th November.
Talking Books:Wendy felt that any action on Talking Books could be
counter-productive with many local authorities since it was a soft target for
cuts and was currently under the radar to some extent. Bryn stated that a
meeting of RNIB trustees would take place soon to look at a separate
campaign.
Eyecare Pilot Report: Bryn distributed copies and promised to send an
electronic copy to the Secretary, since it often took a long time to filter
down to frontline staff
4.
Updates from ADSW:
Wendy reported that the September agenda included Sensory Impairment
and Telecare, Rehabilitation Workforce, Eyecare Strategy and
D:\106746620.doc
2
Implementation and Aids and
Adaptations Guidelines. It was
thought that this latter policy could disadvantage blind and partially sighted
people since many authorities were introducing charges for all items under
£50. It was noted that Jane Aroll was retiring shortly and it was agreed that
the Secretary write to her and ask what would happen to sensory
impairment provision after this.
5.
Updates on Scottish Vision Strategy:
Bryn noted that the UK Vision Strategy conference in Birmingham had
been interesting and well attended, though Dennis Robertson did not go.
He thought that a project group looking at why numbers being registered
were dropping was proposed, but did not yet have funding.
6.
SNFWB Conference 2010:
It was generally felt that the content of the Conference workshops had
been excellent, though there was not enough time for networking.
However, it was thought that the cost of a two-day conference would be a
disincentive, as would be any move away from the Central Belt.
7.
VI and Dementia
Maria wondered if there was scope for a group looking at VI and Dementia
since she was increasingly being asked to differentiate the effects of both.
There was some discussion and it was felt that this area was only in its
infancy, though Dennis thought that Alzheimers Scotland was carrying out
research.Bryn that RNIB’s VILD model could be adapted for assessments.
8.
AOCB:
The Secretary suggested that the group could prepare a consultation
response on the proposed Blue Badge reform, but they thought it better if
he co-ordinated member’s reponses. He stated that the new training pack
on the the Adult Support and protection (Scotland) act would be distributed
shortly.
Bryn invited members to an RNIB book launch of “Started early, took my
dog” by Kate Atkinson in Edinburgh on 20th August. He noted thatClaire
Jewel had been appointed as Service Development Officer Scotland with
RNIB. She would deal with new ECLO type services. Sally McGreavey had
left the education services.
8.
Date of next meeting
th
13 October 2010 at 10.30am within Visibility, 2 Queens Crescent,
Glasgow.
D:\106746620.doc