§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the number of deaf-blind children being taught in schools for the educationally sub-normal by teachers who have no training in the educational needs of deaf, or blind, or deaf-blind children.
§ Dr. BoysonThere is insufficient information available on which to base a useful estimate.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the main reasons why deaf-blind children are unable to accept the existing vacancies in educational institutions; and if he will take urgent action to help such children.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department has no information that a problem exists. If the right hon. Member will write to me with further details I shall be glad to follow this up.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision is made for peripatetic teaching for deaf-blind children.
§ Dr. BoysonThe provision of teachers is a matter for local education authorities; and the Department does not collect information on peripatetic teachers with specific qualifications. It seems likely that very few peripatetic teachers are employed to deal specifically with this extremely low-incidence handicap. LEA cover is provided by peripatetic teachers qualified to teach either the blind or the deaf and through advisers and others trained by voluntary bodies.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to establish regional centres to help deaf-blind people with family support and intensive education programmes for parents and teachers.
§ Dr. BoysonThis would be a matter for collaboration between local authority social services departments and local education authorities. Support is currently available through peripatetic teachers of the blind or hearing impaired and through RNIB advisers and the voluntary welfare representatives and home assistance trained by the National Deaf Children's Society.