North East Sensory Services North East Sensory Services (NESS) exists to promote the needs of people with a sight or hearing loss NESS supports people with serious sight or hearing loss to overcome practical and emotional challenges...

Contact Us To contact us: Tel.: 08452 712345  ABERDEEN:   North East Sensory Services 21 John Street Aberdeen AB25 1BT            <...

About Us Founded in 1879 as 'Aberdeen Town & County Association for Teaching the Blind at their Home', Grampian Society for the Blind is a charity that provides advice and support to over 3000 people with sight...

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Free Newsletter Thank you for your interest in our free Newsletter, NESS News. Here are some of the benefits you'll get: Early alerts about special events. First-hand news updates . Resources related to our service...

Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Overview North East Sensory Services is strongly committed to protecting the privacy of its website users and customers. We have written this privacy policy to outline the specific information...

Products Click a product category for list of products.

Equality Act The Equality Act requires organisations to make reasonable adjustment to premises to enable access for people with a disability. Organisations are also required to produce information in formats...

Current Events Consultation Event at Credo, 14-20 John Street, Aberdeen - 31st May, 10:45am - 2pm Scottish Government draft Sensory Strategy - See Hear A chance to find out more about the Scottish Government's plans...

Social Clubs Scroll down page or click on links below to jump to each section: John Street Groups Elizabeth House Groups Moray Clubs Other Groups John Street Groups The Partnership ClubAttendance of this...

Transport Travel card for elderly and disabled people in ScotlandThis card was introduced by the Scottish Executive on 1 April 2006. It entitles the holder to free bus travel throughout Scotland. Routes to...

Volunteers Volunteering with North East Sensory Services Welcome to North East Sensory Services and thank you for taking the time to consider offering your support as a volunteer. Volunteers compliment the work...

Fundraising Click here for information about past fund raising events Established in 1879, North East Sensory Services (NESS) works with over 3500 people with a sensory impairment in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire...

Vacancies Aberdeen City Council List of current vacancies   North East Sensory Services Current Vacancies  Jobs for Union Square Current Vacancies   Scottish Local Government Jobs Current Vacancies...

Hi Tech Room Equipment currently located within the Hi tech rooms at NESS The following access software is installed on various computer systems including some with internet access: Jaws screen reader Supernova screen...

Web Links Scroll down page or click on links below to jump to each section:  Blind Charity Web Links   Deaf and Hard of hearing Charity WebLinks  Audio and BSL Video Web...

Young Peoples' Sensory Service       Staffed by a full time Young Persons' Coordinator, part-time Project Assistant and a part-time administrator, this is an exciting new venture enabling us to support young people...

Sighted Guide General TechniqueAsk if the person requires assistance.Touch the back of their hand with the back of your hand.They take your arm, left hand to right arm or vice versa, just above the elbow.The grip is...

Newsletters   For recent copies of our Newsletter in PDF, audio & BSL video click on the links below NESS News - March 2013   BSL video    MP3 Audio NESS News - Jan 2013 ...

Social Work & Rehab People with visual impairment:North East Sensory Services holds the register of anyone who is registered as either blind or partially sighted and provides a direct service to them on behalf of the...

Current Vacancies

Employment Service Employment Skills Course Click here for detailed course info. This is a part-time course for people engaging with the employment service and which will be provided by Aberdeen College.  It will be...

CIS - Connect, Inform, Support                                 Supporting independence and social inclusion for older people with sensory loss   Connect...

Information for Befriendees What Befrienders do Offer regular contact through visits or phone calls Offer emotional support and a listening ear Assist you with reading or writing Go out with you for a cup of tea or coffee Share...

BSL Interpreting Service   Who can purchase this service? Anyone wishing to communicate between a British Sign Language User and an English speaking person, can book a BSL interpretere...

Equipment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing The Resource Centre at John Street has a drop in service every Tuesday between 9.30am and 12.30pm and on Thursday afternoon between 1:30pm and 4pm (at other times by appointment - Contact Us...

Training and Information North East Sensory Services delivers a range of Sensory Awarenes Training.  The training aims to raise awareness of the barriers experienced by people who are blind, visually impaired, Deaf and Hard...

Aberdeen Resource Centre John Street refurbishment finished! Click here to view gallery The Resource Centre at 21 John Street, Aberdeen, has many items of equipment on display. These include talking clocks, signature guides,...

Elgin Resource Centre Elizabeth House, Elgin: Here at our resource centre in Elgin, we have a range of aids and equipment to assist with daily living: Talking watches/clocks, easy to see watches Items to help in the kitchen...

Cinema Listings Accessible Cinema Times: ***Film times subject to change - please check with cinema to confirm times before booking*** Scroll down page or click on links below to jump to each section: Cineworld -...

Deaf Charity Web Links DeafBlind Scotland Website offering support and information for deafblind people in Scotland. DeafBlind Manual - Deafblind Manual Alphabet is a tactile language, used to communicate with people who...

Blind Charity Web Links Royal National Institute for the Blind RNIB are the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss. Action for Blind People   Action...

Audio and BSL Video Web Links Audio & BSL information about the election & referendum are available here. Information about voting and the Scottish Parliament in BSL and audio is available here. Voteaberdeen.org has details about...

Social Work Web Links Sight Action  Sight Action offers support and services to blind and partially people throughout the Scottish Highlands and the Western Isle.  For Information Log On To www.sightaction.org.uk...

Website Accessibility Help Here are some tips to improve access to websites:   Zoom in on a webpage If you have a mouse with a wheel, hold down the CTRL key, and then scroll the wheel to zoom in or out. From the keyboard you...

Assistive Technology Resources At our resource centres in Aberdeen and Elgin we have a range of technology and equipment to assist the every day living of people with a sensory impairment.  Demonstrations/training sessions can...

Refurbishment Gallery Refurbishment at John Street Our brand new resource centre and library area are now completed. It was a long, noisy and dusty road to it, especially for our reception staff and volunteers, who worked...

feedback   If you have any feedback regarding the North East Sensory Services website please complete the form below then click 'Send'.  Thank you!

Past events Pictured are Members of the Aberdeen Deaf Craft Club presenting a cheque for £250 to NESS employee Debbie Douglas, as a donation from the proceeds of their Christmas Fayre held on 12th November 2011.&...

Hello Library The drop-in library is open from 10am until 2pm, Monday to Friday and a volunteer will be on hand during these times to help you make your book selection. If you are unable to come in, then the Postal...

Board of Directors Please click on photo for more info about each board member. Kathleen Sinclair Peter Copp Marsali Craig Graham Findlay     Lynne Hawcroft Varda Hood Noemi Lois Aravind Reddy Allan Wright Andrea...

Kathleen Sinclair   I became Chairman of NESS in 2010 after four years as a Board member.  During my career with Aberdeen City Council and the NHS.  I was always committed to providing the very best services...

Peter Copp Peter is a Chartered Accountant and settled in Aberdeenshire in 1985 after working in London, Tanzania and Lincoln.  Prior to retirement he was a partner in the Aberdeen offices of two major accountancy...

Marsali Craig   Marsali worked as a Social Worker in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire before qualifying as a Solicitor.  She worked for several law firms in Aberdeen until the end of 2008, when she gave up working...

Lynne Hawcroft I was born in Manchester but have lived in beautiful Lossiemouth for the past twelve years. Originally I worked as a social work manager and interpreter with deaf people. Later I worked for the RNID,...

Graham Findlay   I am in my second spell at NESS (formerly GSB).   I first joined as a social work assistant in 1989 after being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa.  Since then I qualified as a...

Varda Hood Audiologist working in hospitals throughout NHS Grampian. Work includes; adult hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting, specialist hearing assessment clinics for adults with learning difficulties, vestibular...

Aravind Reddy   Ophthalmic Consultant at ARI. Completed his training and early working years in India, worked in England and came to Aberdeen in 2007. Special interest fields are paediatric ophthalmology, adult...

Allan Wright Allan Wright is Leader of the Administration group of the Moray Council. He was elected in May 2007 as one of the four members for the Laich and Heldon ward, having previously served two full terms in...

Andrea Barclay My name is Andrea Barclay, I am a client, service user and volunteer. I am registered blind and have a guide dog, her name is Cara and she is 4 and a half years old. Some of you may know me from the Aberdeen...

Mary Whittaker Mary runs Deaf Havoc, a company providing British Sign Language tuition and Deaf awareness training throughout Scotland. With her hearing dog Scott Mary travels as far as the Western Isles, Shetland and...

Tailored Training Do you find that people with a sensory loss find it difficult to access your service?  Do you have customers with a sensory loss?  Would your staff communicate more effectively with them with...

Noemi Lois Noemi Lois, MD, PhD, FRCS(Ed)Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Ophthalmology Department, NHS Grampian; and Honorary Clinical senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen. Miss Lois did her Medical and Ophthalmic...

NESS News Audio March 2013 Click on each link to play audio; to download right click on each link and select 'Save Target As...' News March 1 mp3   News March...

NESS News March 2013 BSL

Sensory Awareness Training Sensory Awareness Training provides an overview of the impact of sensory loss on someone and is suitable for anyone who...

Training for families and carers - Moving Forward It can be quite hard to understand the obstacles that someone experiences when they lose their sight or their hearing.  Family members, close friends and carers may bear the brunt of supporting the...

Tailored Sensory Awareness Training NESS offers a range of tailored training opportunities aimed at meetings the needs of different organisations.     a. Sensory Awareness Training for health and social care professionals...

Upcoming Events Forth Rail Bridge Abseil, 19th May 2013 and 27th October 2013   165ft free-fall (SAS-style) abseil - Scotland's biggest abseil from Scotland's most iconic structure. Last year this event raised over...

NESS News Audio Nov 2012 Click on each link to play audio; to download right click on each link and select 'Save Target As...' News Nov 1 mp3   News Nov 2...

NESS News BSL Nov 2012

NESS News Audio Jan 2013 Click on each link to play audio; to download right click on each link and select 'Save Target As...' News Jan 1 mp3   News Jan 2...

NESS News BSL Jan 2013

Theatre Listings Accessible Theatre Times: His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen Scroll down page or click on links below to jump to each section: Audio Described Shows BSL Interpreted Shows Captioned Shows Audio...

Test for homepage   North East Sensory Services The new operational name for Grampian Society for the Blind

Test Sensory Awareness Training

Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross             From 1 April 2013 North East Sensory Services will provide Social Work, Information and Equipment Advice Services to people who are Deaf or hearing impaired living...

Stepping Stones   Stepping Stones is a new and developing service working alongside NESS' Young Peoples Sensory Service. It will support young people with a serious sensory loss through the stages of transition...

NESS User Forum NESS holds regular User Forum meetings in the Aberdeen and Elgin Offices. These are very informal and give people the opportunity to have a hot drink, a fine piece and just listen or participate in any...

Deaf Awareness Week North East Sensory Services supports Deaf Awareness Week "Get Involved Get Aware!" Campaign 6-13th May 2013 The Deaf Awareness Week campaign asks you to Get Involved Get Aware!  The aim is to highlight...

Aberdeenshire NESS services available for people with a sensory loss who live in the Aberdeenshire area include (click on links for more info):    Connect-Inform-Support (CIS) Service   Young Persons...

Aberdeen City   NESS services available for people with a sensory loss who live in the Aberdeen City area include (click on links for more info):    Resource Centre at 21 John Street   Social...

Moray               NESS services available for people with a sensory loss who live in the Moray area include (click on links for more info):  Resource Centre...