Jeremy Balfour, Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian met with staff from Cerebral Palsy charity Bobath Scotland this week, to discuss recent legislation that now entitles people in Scotland to communication equipment, and the support to use it. Bobath Scotland are pressing for improvements in the provision of support to people living with Cerebral Palsy and are visiting the Scottish Parliament this week, raising awareness of the charity’s services and also highlighting key policy issues with MSPs.
Around 1 in 4 people with Cerebral Palsy are unable to talk or have difficulty speaking, and need to use computers, tablets or other equipment to enable them to communicate.
Jeremy Balfour MSP commented,
“I am delighted to have met with the staff at Bobath at Parliament and hear more about the vital work they do to help people living with Cerebral Palsy. I am proud that improvements to Scottish legislation will help those suffering with this disability to receive communication equipment which will greatly improve their quality of life.”
Stephanie Fraser, Chief Executive at Bobath Scotland, said: “Bobath Scotland is the national charity that provides therapy and support to children and adults across the country who are living with Cerebral Palsy.
“Because of this, we have been at Parliament this week to talk about our services, and also to ask MSPs to ensure that forthcoming guidance on people’s entitlement to communication equipment and support is sufficiently detailed so that it really will lead to guaranteed and timely provision for all.”
“We particularly want children with Cerebral Palsy who cannot speak to not wait for assessment for communication equipment, delivery of that equipment, and support to learn to use the equipment, so they can communicate to the best of their ability as soon as possible.”