HC Deb 19 January 1982 vol 16 c102W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what have been his Department's specific contributions to the International Year of Disabled People.

Sir Keith Joseph

The Department's main specific contribution was the Education Act 1981. The Department also participated in a continuing OECD project on the education of the handicapped adolescent; sponsoring, at Cardiff in September, one of the international symposia which examined specific aspects of the problem. Her Majesty's inspectors prepared audio visual material to assist in the in-service training of teachers in ordinary schools to teach children with special needs. The Department published Design Note 25 on lighting and acoustic criteria for the visually handicapped and hearing impaired in schools and issued a revision of Design Note 18 relating to access for the disabled to educational establishments.

Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what have been his Department's specific contributions to the International Year of Disabled People in so far as they relate to his responsibilities for the arts.

Mr. Channon

My office conveyed the terms of the resolution on International Year of Disabled People at the beginning of last year to the bodies for which it is responsible, and requested them to take these into account as far as possible in their activities, within the resources available. Their response has been positive and energetic.