§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what special steps she is taking to provide for the educational needs of deaf /blind children; how many specially qualified teachers there are who are able to meet the needs of deaf/blind children; and how many special communication classes there are for deaf/blind children.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonI am sending my hon. Friend a copy of my Department's Circular 12/70, which gives guidance on the education of children with impaired sight and hearing. Since the circular was issued the number of special units for these children, then five, has more than doubled. Other blind/deaf children are educated with children hav-110W ing other forms of handicap. Teachers of children who are blind as well as deaf or partially hearing must have, or obtain within three years, an approved specialist qualification, following a year's full-time study or its equivalent. Some 1,700 teachers now in post have this further qualification. Additionally, short courses are provided for specialist teachers of blind and deaf children, and the Royal National Institute for the Blind also offers specialist training.
A number of different forms of educational provision for deaf/blind children is made by LEAs and national bodies. These arrangements are not normally known as special communication classes, but the development of communication is central to their work.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will consider a diploma level university based course for teachers of the deaf/blind.
§ Mr. OakesOne year diploma level courses in the teaching of the deaf and partially hearing are offered at three universities and four further education institutions in England. Two universities provide diploma courses for more experienced teachers of the deaf. A diploma course in the teaching of the visually handicapped is provided at Birmingham University.