deafscotland is set to merge with the ALLIANCE due to ongoing financial difficulties

The shock closure of a charity that has represented Scotland's deaf community for almost a century has been announced.

deafscotland is set to be merged with the ALLIANCE as soon as tomorrow (30 June), as a result of ongoing difficulties.

Founded in 1927, deafscotland was formerly known as the Scottish Association for the Deaf and from 2000 to 2018 as the Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD).

A statement to stakeholders from chief officer Janis McDonald and convenor Donald Richards said the charity will be "effectively closed on the 30 June to focus on the development of the new Scottish Sensory Hub and arrangements".

The statement said: "We are writing to inform you that, due to ongoing financial difficulties and talks with the ALLIANCE, a special resolution seeking approval to merge was sent out to our National Council (Full/Star members) who are the only members to have a vote on our future. Of the 84% National Council members who voted, a whopping 81% voted for the merger with The ALLIANCE. This means that the merger will go ahead as soon as possible.

"As a result of the vote, we will be effectively closing for deafscotland business on the 30 June to focus on the development of the new Scottish Sensory Hub set up and arrangements. The actual date of transfer may not be on 30 June but it will be soon after.

"Further information will be available later as deafscotland/Scottish Council on Deafness will inform programmes of work and the details of the Sensory Hub will emerge.

"We would encourage you to actively engage with the ALLIANCE if you do not do so already and support the new Sensory Hub - see the ALLIANCE website for more information."