Susan Shippey on two innovative new courses
Scotland is entering a new era for vision impairment services.
Vision Collaborative Scotland has partnered with the University of Strathclyde to launch two groundbreaking new courses in vision rehabilitation.
This marks a significant step forward in how we train, support and grow the workforce that serves adults with visual impairments across Scotland. These courses will help address long standing gaps in rehabilitation provision and ensure that more people with visual impairment receive the expert support they need.
Vision rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping people with visual impairment regain independence and confidence. It enables individuals to carry out everyday tasks, reconnect with their communities and maintain a sense of normality in their lives. Whether it is learning to navigate safely, manage personal care or return to work, rehabilitation provides the practical skills and emotional support needed to adapt and thrive.
The launch of new training programmes is a crucial step in making sure more people across Scotland can access this life-changing support when they need it most.
Our research has shown that people with visual impairment in Scotland face long waits for rehabilitation support, and in some areas, no provision at all. This is unacceptable. Rehabilitation is essential for independence, confidence and wellbeing, and it must be available to everyone who needs it.
At the same time, we are facing a workforce crisis. The current vision rehabilitation workforce is ageing, and until now, there has been no stable training pathway in Scotland. These new courses directly address that gap, offering a sustainable solution to build capacity and ensure continuity of support.
The first course is a two-year part-time blended learning programme leading to a postgraduate diploma. It will enable individuals to qualify as vision rehabilitation specialists and take up employment in a sector that urgently needs skilled professionals. The second course is a one-year part time blended learning programme at postgraduate certificate level. This exciting new option will prepare students to practice as vision rehabilitation assistants, helping to widen access to the field and strengthen the support available to people with visual impairment.
We are also pleased to share that SAAS funding towards fees is available to eligible students for the postgraduate diploma course. In addition, a number of Vision Collaborative Scotland student sponsorships for the postgraduate certificate course are being offered to employers, thanks to a generous grant awarded by the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust. These sponsorships will contribute to course fees for students employed within the Scottish visual impairment sector, whether in the public sector or in charities. This grant was awarded to Sight Scotland, reflecting our collaborative and generous leadership approach to supporting the wider vision impairment sector.
Vision Collaborative Scotland brings together visual impairment organisations from across the country, aiming to amplify voices, set shared priorities and work together on practical, lasting solutions. One of our first initiatives, A Clearer Picture: Mapping Adult Vision Impairment Support in Scotland, led by Birch Tree Associates, will help identify where services currently exist, what support is available and where improvements are needed.
The mapping was launched at the start of October, and all visual impairment charities and health and social care partnerships have been invited to take part. This work will build on the momentum created by the launch of the new rehabilitation courses, helping to shape a stronger, more joined up future for vision impairment services across Scotland.
To find out more about the new Vision Rehabilitation Courses at the University of Strathclyde please visit: Vision Impairment Rehabilitation (PGCert/PGDip) - University of Strathclyde
Susan Shippey is chair of Vision Collaborative Scotland.
