Support is on hand to help complete the form
A Perth & Kinross sensory charity is urging those who are blind, have a vision impairment or are deaf or hard of hearing, to remember to fill in their census forms.
The census is a once-a-decade count of the population of Scotland and the information gathered helps authorities to plan the appropriate services where they’re more needed.
That’s why it’s important for those with sensory impairments to fill out the census when it drops through their doors says Gwenn McCreath, Vision PK chief executive.
“The census is key to how services and local infrastructure are funded and we need to ensure that the services are directed exactly where they’re needed. That’s why we want to urge those with sensory impairments to fill in the census and make sure they are counted and get the future services that they need.”
This year, the census has gone online, but there is help available for those with sensory impairments.
Paper copies of the census are still being made available to those who would find it easier to complete it in that way and you can request them in large print, too. The guidance for completing the census is also available to request. You can also get a copy of the census on audio CD as well as in Braille.
The dedicated website for completing the census (www.census.gov.scot) has also been created to be as accessible and usable as possible to older audiences and those with visual, hearing, cognitive or motor impairments. On the website you will find assistive technologies such as easier-to-read colours, larger fonts, the use of plain English and the option of keyboard-only navigation.
For users of British Sign Language (BSL), explanation videos are available for each question in the census or you can phone for assistance using Contact Scotland’s BSL app.
CPK Libraries also offer free PC access and can support people to fill out their questionnaires online if required.
VisionPK are keen to encourage everyone to take part in this year’s census and want to ensure that those with sensory loss has everything they need to have their voices heard.
