Social Security Scotland research needs alternative communication users

Social Security Scotland wants to improve its service for people. 

To do so, researchers want to talk to people who use alternative forms of communication.

Examples of these are Easy Read, British Sign Language (BSL), Braille and Large Print.

Research aims  

They want to find out:   

• if you've heard about Social Security Scotland’s benefits  

• about your experience when applying

• what you think about any alternative communication offered

This will help them find out what they're doing well and where they can do better.  

What’s involved 

Researchers might invite you to take part in an interview.   

Interviews:   

• can be either in-person, over the phone or in online video calls  

• last about 50 minutes  

• only have one participant  

• are led by researchers 

Register online

You can take part in this research if:    

• you communicate using alternative forms. Examples of these are Easy Read, British Sign Language (BSL), Braille and Large Print

• you use assistive technology to communicate. Examples include screen readers and text-to-speech software

• you have any additional communication needs

• you work or volunteer for a charity or non-profit organisation that works with the groups mentioned    

To take part in the research, fill in the registration form. 

Register online

Other ways to register   

You can also call the research helpline free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.   

On the call you can either:   

• complete the registration form with the adviser  

• request a paper version of the form  

• ask for a language interpreter   

If you’re a British Sign Language (BSL) user, go to contactscotland-bsl.org   

If you use a text phone, use the prefix 18001 when you call us.   

Your adviser can help you more quickly if you tell them this reference: communication needs.

What happens next  

After you register, researchers might contact you to invite you to an interview. They may not be able to invite everyone because they have limited space.  

They'll contact you to organise a time and location that suits you. They’ll also give you more information about what to expect on the day.   

Stop taking part  

You can stop taking part in the research at any time. To do so, call the research helpline free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.   

You do not need to explain why.   

Confidential answers   

 Your answers are confidential. This means no one will be able to work out who you are from any survey results they publish.    

 Only people working in the research team will see your name and contact details. No one involved in making benefit decisions will have access to your answers or know if you have taken part.    

 Taking part will not affect any of your applications or benefits.   

Your data  

Any personal information you give will be held according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can find out more about this in our privacy notice. 

Easy read

There's an easy read guide available online. 

This guide has information about:

• what they are doing

• how to take part
• what you will need to do
• how they will protect your privacy