§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to what extent job details are made available(a) in Braille and (b) on audio tape at job centres. [26815]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 6 February 1998:
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question of 30 January, concerning the extent to which job details are made available in Braille and audio tape at Jobcentres.The Employment Service does not normally make job details available in Braille or audiotape formats. However, where jobseekers do have impaired vision there are a number of other ways in which we can and do assist.Where a jobseeker is visually impaired, arrangements can be made for the jobseeker to be accompanied around the Jobcentre's vacancy display boards and details read out by a member of staff. In addition we may make an appointment for the jobseeker at which a member of staff will identify and discuss suitable vacancies held on our Labour Market System computer. Also, the Jobseeker will be regularly invited to discuss their job search activity with their adviser. We also provide vacancy information by phone where this would be helpful.I hope this is helpful.