§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assistance is available from his Department to the deaf or hard of hearing to provide them with or help them to obtain electronic equipment now available which enables such people to communicate by telephone.
§ Mr. NewtonThe duties of a local authority under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 can include the provision of help to a disabled person in obtaining a telephone and any special equipment necessary to enable him or her to use a telephone, provided the local authority is satisfied that such assistance is necessary to meet the needs of that disabled person. This Department and the Department of Trade and Industry have made funds available for the provision of a number of Vistel machines, by which typed messages can be relayed and shown on a visual display, in places where they can be used by people whose hearing is impaired.