§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department is giving any assistance to disabled persons to gain access to the following technological aids: possum, mavis, mac, apple, canon communicator, splink and microwriter.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe provision of aids to disabled persons, which would include aids of the kind listed, is generally a matter for health boards and local authorities and also some voluntary organisations. Some provsion for school use is made by education authorities. However, for a number of years Possum environmental control equipment and typewriters have been provided by the Scottish Home and Health Department to very severely disabled persons. Currently, tenders are being invited on behalf of the Health Departments for one type of environmental control equipment; and there are plans to go out to tender for a communication aid. Under its awareness programme on information technology the Department of Industry is developing initiatives to420W encourage wider applications of IT for the benefit of the disabled. Announcements will be made in due course. Consideration is also being given to additional ways of making information available about these aids.