Supporting people with disabilities

Deaf and hearing impaired services

We support people of all ages who are affected by deafness or hearing impairment.

• Services for deaf and hearing-impaired schoolchildren
• Communication Support
• BSL/English interpretation, lip speakers, note-takers, deaf blind interpretation.
• Assessment and ongoing social work support

Our social work team offer a statutory social work assessment agreed with you, your family and/or carers.

Assessing your needs

Following assessment, an individual care plan will be created covering all areas of support. Help with Self Directed Support planning is also available.

• All social workers are registered with the Scottish Social Services council, and have specialist training and/or experience in working with deaf and hearing impaired people.
• Specialist equipment - we will provide information and advice, installation, maintenance and repair of specialist equipment deemed necessary following assessment.
• Visiting outreach support service - a home based individual support to promote independent living, covering a range of practical, financial, social, health and wellbeing issues.

Health Links 

• NHS Inform - BSL
• NHS Near Me
• Public Health Scotland 
   

BSL Partners 

• British Deaf Association 
• Deaf Action
• Deafblind Scotland
• NDCS

Services

• contact SCOTLAND-BSL: Scotland's National BSL Interpreting Video Relay Service 
• Scotland Police - BSL
• Scottish Government 

Blind and visually impaired services

East Lothian Council together with RNIB Scotland support people of all ages who are affected by visual impairment.

• Services for visually-impaired schoolchildren
• Vision Support Centre – based at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh. Assessment, information, advice and emotional support to everyone following diagnosis.
• Registration Service – following diagnosis, RNIB staff will help you, if you choose, to become formally registered as partially sighted or blind. Registration will help you access related services/benefits.
• Assessment – a statutory social work assessment. This will identify the outcomes you want to achieve.  With the agreement of you, your family and/or carers where relevant, a personalised care plan can be developed.

Assessing your needs

• Mobility Training and Rehabilitation - a specialist tailored service to help keep you independent in your home and the community. 
• Specialist Equipment – a wide range of specialist equipment is on display at the Resource Centre in the Hillside Crescent offices. Advice and guidance about which equipment is right for you also provided.