HC Deb 12 February 2002 vol 380 cc188-9W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to promote the use of RNID type talk within Government Departments. [31187]

Mr. Leslie

The Central Office for Information has published guidance for Government Departments on providing information in accessible formats for disabled people, including the use of text phone services. There are three text phone users in the Cabinet Office and all staff have also received advice on contacting them.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Government Departments employ a trained lip speaker. [31188]

Mr. Leslie

Departments are responsible for their own arrangements: while some Departments may employ their own trained lip speakers, others may bring in lip speakers for specific events. Numbers are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Government publications were published in(a) Braille and (b) large print in 2001. [31189]

Mr. Leslie

Individual Departments are responsible for their own publications. Information on numbers published is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. Government Departments are always willing to consider requests for providing information in accessible formats. For example, the Office of the e-Envoy consulted the Informability Unit at COI when planning the publication "Your guide to getting on". Copies have been produced in audio, large print and braille formats. By February 2002, 16 Braille, 75 large print and 525 audio copies had been supplied since the start of the public awareness campaign in November 2001.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many sign language specialists are employed by Government Departments for public and media relations. [31186]

Mr. Leslie

Departments are responsible for their own arrangements: while some Departments may employ their own sign language specialists, others may bring in sign language specialists for specific events. Numbers are not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. As an example, in November the Cabinet Office ran the Civil Service training exercise "Dunchester's Millions" for a group of disabled undergraduates, which introduces potential candidates to the work of a Civil Service Fast Streamer. Three sign language interpreters were employed at this event to give profoundly deaf students an opportunity to participate fully in the activities.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Government Departments provide(a) Braille facilities, (b) text phone facilities and (c) lip speaking training for employees. [31185]

Mr. Leslie

All Government Departments provide reasonable adjustments for disabled staff depending on an individual's particular needs. This includes the provision of Braille facilities, text phone services and lip speaking training where appropriate. For example, the Cabinet Office has three text phone users. The Cabinet Office Disability Staff Network (DisCO) is also running a deaf awareness workshop, which raises awareness among employees of the causes of deafness. It also offers background to sign language, deaf culture and lip reading skills.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is possible to receive an audio version of Government publications. [31312]

Mr. Leslie

Yes. Many Government publications are published in audio versions as a matter of course. Departments are always willing to consider requests to provide other publications in accessible formats. For example, the Office of the e-Envoy consulted the Informability Unit at COI when planning the publication "Your guide to getting on". Copies have been produced in audio, large print and braille formats. By February 2002, 16 braille, 75 large print and 525 audio copies had been supplied since the start of the public awareness campaign in November 2001.