§ Baroness FISHER of REDNALasked Her Majesty's Government:
What provision is made for specialised residential accommodation for the multi-handicapped blind.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and SOCIAL SECURITY (Lord Wells-Pestell)Blind people who are mentally handicapped and who are not at home are cared for either in hospital or in accommodation provided by local authorities or voluntary bodies. In most cases they will be cared for in the same setting as mentally handicapped people who are not blind; but a few hospitals have special units for blind people.
As regards blind people with other physical handicaps, residential care is provided mainly by voluntary organisations, both national and local. Her Majesty's Government's social work advisers are currently bringing up to date information about the question of accommodation for this group.
As the noble Baroness may be aware, Her Majesty's Government are providing finance to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and the National Association for Deaf, Blind and Rubella Handicapped to assist towards the establishment of two new units for young people who are both deaf and blind.