Sensory impairment

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted or deafblind, we can offer you a specialist assessment through Deaf Action or RNIB.

Services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Deaf Action offers assessment and a number of services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. They can help to

• assess your needs, provide advice and long term support
• assess for and provide specialist equipment
• provide British Sign Language interpreters, deafblind communicators, lipspeakers and notetakers.

Services for people who are blind or partially sighted

RNIB Scotland offers a range of services for people who are blind or partially sighted. They can help by 

• assess your needs, provide advice and provide long term support
• assess for and provide specialist equipment and a mobility service
• give advice at the Vision Support Centre at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.

Further information

You may want to find out about using Direct Payments to buy and arrange your own care and support services.

Read information on  Support for carers including Carer support payments, the Carer's emergency card, NHS support and local carers groups and training courses.

Lothian Deaf Counselling Service offers free one to one counselling for deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and deafblind adults, available in British Sign Language, without interpreter, and English. A personal loop system and communication in written English are available for people who are deafened or hard of hearing.

Lothian Deaf Community Mental Health Service can support deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people who have mental health or emotional issues that make everyday life more difficult.