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For over 5 years, Deafblind Scotland and Visibility Scotland have partnered up to deliver the Right to Dream project, funded through the Scottish Government’s Equality and Human Rights Fund. The initiative delivers training to promote and enhance the understanding of Human Rights among individuals living with sensory loss and those who support them.

Right to Dream Project: Empowering Sensory Loss Communities Through Human Rights Training

Our Mission

The Right to Dream project offers a comprehensive range of training sessions that focus on the rights of individuals who may live with conditions such as deafblindness or sight loss. These sessions are designed to raise awareness about human rights and the protections available against discrimination. By working closely with individuals who have lived experiences of sensory loss, we have developed training that is both practical, authentic and impactful.

Training Themes

Our training sessions cover a variety of topics, including:

  • A Brief History of Human Rights: Understanding the evolution of human rights principles.

  • Key Pieces of Legislation: Familiarizing participants with important legal frameworks.

  • Real-Life Case Studies and Scenarios: Providing concrete examples of rights in action.

  • Focused Discussions: Engaging in meaningful conversations to "make rights real."

This training will ensure that participants leave feeling more knowledgeable and empowered to advocate for their rights and those of others.

To book a Right to Dream session

Crucially, the Right to Dream training has been designed alongside and is always co-facilitated by an experienced trainer with authentic lived experience. The training can be delivered in person or online, depending on your requirements. If you are interested in hosting a Right to Dream training session, please contact us to discuss how we can best accommodate your needs. Our training sessions are provided at no cost.

 

Contact Information

To arrange a training session in your area, please reach out to Deafblind Scotland:

Join us in the Right to Dream project and help us make human rights a reality for everyone.

Dream Makers

Deafblind people share their dreams for the future…

Claymation

Deafblind Scotland member Anne Dignan authored the poem "Right to Dream," inspired by our 5-year strategy and her role as a Peer Ambassador. Animator Jim Stirk from Animation Jam led six animation workshops, involving three members, Ian Bell, Alison Dunbar, and Francis Dockrey. Over six weeks, members used claymation to bring the poem to life, with tactile grids and other adjustments ensuring the process was accessible.

Types of Training

We offer different types of tailored training programs:


For Individuals Living with Sensory Loss

This training is designed specifically for those living with sensory loss or dual-sensory loss. It emphasizes individual rights and offers guidance on how to address and act upon instances of discrimination. Participants will receive practical advice on:

  • What actions to take

  • Where to seek help

  • Who to contact for additional support

Additionally, this training provides a platform for participants to share their experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.

For Supporters and Service Providers


This training is aimed at those who support or provide services to individuals with sensory loss, including retailers, public service providers, private companies, and third sector organizations. Participants will learn about:

 

  • The rights of individuals with sensory loss

  • Their duties and responsibilities to prevent and address discrimination

Real-life examples are used to illustrate the impact of negative experiences and the importance of supportive practices. We believe that meaningful change occurs when all societal sectors work together to understand and support each other.

Right to Dream Ambassadors

Initially funded through the Big Lottery Lived Experience Fund as ‘Dare to Dream,’ Deafblind Scotland members who wished to take on a leadership role were offered leadership and influencing skills training. One first task that they embarked on was to consult other Deafblind Scotland members who were less able to have their say due to ill health, disability, lack of mobility or communication barriers on a Deafblind Scotland Manifesto or Rights. This Manifesto provided a framework for the development of Deafblind Scotland’s 5-year Strategy ‘The Right to Dream’. 

Manifesto of Rights

Across 2020, the Dare to Dream Peer Leadership Group consulted widely with deafblind people on their rights, the following is their consensus on a rights-based manifesto. 

1.         It is the right of deafblind people to be recognised as a unique community and we should be included in all aspects of society.

2.         We expect the Scottish Government, public and private sectors, and the wider community to be deafblind aware. 

3.         It is the right of deafblind people to have equal access to influence local and national policy and we should be fully consulted throughout. 

4.         It is our right to have access to communication, information, travel, and equipment that is fully accessible and is financially inclusive.

5.         It is every deafblind person’s right to accessible support across multiple services during diagnosis, transitions, and major life events.

 

At the end of the Dare to Dream Programme further funding was provided by the Scottish Government as part of the Equality and Human Rights Fund that enabled Deafblind Scotland to develop the project ‘Right to Dream.’ This has supported us to undertake a number of peer-led (Deafblind person led) activities.

 

One important element of this work was to grow the voices of Deafblind people and in particular to build upon the ‘Dare to Dream’ leadership training to create Right to Dream Ambassadors. These Ambassadors provide external training through Right to Dream both to other people living with sensory loss but also public bodies, ensuring that people are aware of their rights and services of their duty to protect and uphold these rights.

Within the Right to Dream approach we do all we can to make accessing and upholding of rights as easy as possible by providing tools, resources, and case studies to help.

Alongside these training activities Right to Dream Ambassadors work with SAGoD and Deafblind Scotland Senior Leadership to refine policy priorities and set out an annual influencing plan. Ambassadors also work with CEO and other senior staff within Deafblind Scotland to engage directly in policy work such as through attending Government meetings and helping to facilitate consultations and consultation responses. 

Any member who wishes to become an ambassador can find out more by emailing: programmemanager@dbscotland.org.uk

Manifesto of Deafblind People's Rights

As part of the Right to Dream ethos across Deafblind Scotland, deafblind people have been producing some short videos to express their hopes and dreams.The Right to Dream Project was underpinned by a group of deafblind people who became Deafblind Ambassadors. They created a Manifesto of Deafblind People’s Rights.

Development Committee

Right to Dream Ambassadors are eligible to become members of the Deafblind Scotland Development Committee. This committee reports directly to the Board of Directors and is chaired by a Deafblind Trustee. This committee considers all Deafblind Scotland’s health, wellbeing, and skills development programmes; rehabilitation and Guide Communicator services; training programme; social media, marketing, and information strategy; building and land improvements; policy work; and fundraising strategy.

 

This gives ordinary members an opportunity to work with Trustees and Senior staff leaders to inform the development of the organisational strategy and to review progress towards achievement of strategic goals. This helps ensure that lived experience is central to all elements of the work of the organisation from provision of individual and group programmes and services that support deafblind people to develop new skills to help them cope with day-to-day life through to opening opportunities that support them to access new adventures.

 

This committee also provides a way for Deafblind people to contribute to making Scotland a better place for deafblind people to live by helping us to raise awareness of the challenges deafblind people face and what society, Governments and other key services and structures can do to make more inclusive places and spaces for Deafblind people.

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