TWO vital Bolton schemes are set for the go ahead to improve the lives of people with difficulties seeing and hearing.

They have come from a joint finance initiative between Bolton Social Services and Wigan and Bolton Health Auth- ority.

The attention is focusing on the development of rehabilitation services. There will be £38,400 spent on the visually impaired, while £25,400 will go on employing a support worker for the deaf and blind.

In a report under consideration, details of the two schemes will be given at the Health Services Joint Consultative Committee. Through Bolton's social services department, it is planned to provide a team of rehabilitation officers, made up of a team leader and two rehabilitation officers, plus administrative support.

It is hoped the proposal will stop a gap in the present rehabilitation service and provide a speedier more effective response to referrals.

The service will be centralised at the Jubilee Centre in Halliwell and a resource base will be developed where people can access equipment.

The appointment of a support worker for the deaf/blind will give specialist input into an area of growing demand for support. Under contract from Henshaws Society for the Blind, the worker will help to develop an information base and assist in future strategy.

The worker will also give practical help and support to families and carers.

Both schemes will be considered for approval today.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.