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Deafness and devolution To discuss the work of the new devolved Scottish Parliament and find out if deaf people in Scotland feel their views are being represented, VEE-TV asked viewers Avril Hepner and Paul Kyle to talk to Lilian Lawson, secretary of the new Cross Party Group on Deafness and director of the Scottish Council on Deafness. Avril says she is proud of her Scottish roots but worries that a move towards independence may distance Scotland from England and restrict the choice of education for young deaf people. She feels England has better provision than Scotland when it comes to deaf education. Paul is concerned that while moves towards Scottish independence seem a good idea in theory, the reality could be different. He feels it is important for deaf organisations to retain strong links throughout the UK rather than become segregated. His view is that the greater the number of people, the stronger the voice they have. Lilian Lawson, secretary of the Cross Party Group on Deafness, explained that the Group will address all deaf issues and is currently focusing on deaf education, audiology services, universal neo-natal hearing screening, the shortage of trained BSL interpreters and raising the awareness of deaf issues among members of the Scottish Parliament. Areas of specific concern that Lilian identifies are:
As for digital hearing aids, audiology clinics can buy digital aids from Scottish Healthcare Supplies (a division of the NHS) as long as they have funds, whereas in England, digital aids are currently only available from 20 audiology clinics as part of a pilot project sponsored by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the Department of Health. Lilian also
said that she feels there is a need for the Group to involve younger deaf
adults in its work, and she has suggested the formation of a youth delegation.
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