HC Deb 26 October 1994 vol 248 cc667-8W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department in each of the last three years to(a) produce public information in alternative formats for visually impaired people and (b) publicise the availability of accessible information among visually impaired people.

Sir John Wheeler

[holding answer 24 October 1994]The Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments have spent the following amounts of money in each of the last three years to produce public information in alternative format for visually impaired people:

  • 1991–92– £2,742
  • 1992–93– —
  • 1993–94–£2,969

As the Royal National Institute for the Blind produces and provides the available information free of charge, the amount spent in each of the last three years on publicising the availability of accessible information amongst visually impaired people has been negligible.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate which Departmental publications are currently available(a) in Braille, (b) in large print and (c) on tape; and if he will indicate what efforts have been made by his Department to inform visually impaired people about the availability of publications in alternative formats to normal print.

Sir John Wheeler

[holding answer 24 October 1994]The Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments currently have the following publications available in:

  1. (a) Braille
    • Water Quality Register Leaflet
    • Water Quality Standards Leaflets
    • Emergencies and Complaints on Water Quality Leaflet Leaflets and publications relating to the marketing and promotion of training and employment services.
    • The Northern Ireland Charter for the Child Support Agency "For Parents Who Live Apart" Leaflet
    • "Talkback" Leaflet
    • The Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Practice on the Employment of People with Disabilities
    668
  2. (b) Large Print
    • Water Quality Register Leaflet
    • Water Quality Standards Leaflet
    • Emergencies and Complaints on Water Quality Leaflet Leaflets and publications relating to the marketing and promotion of training and employment services.
    • The Northern Ireland Charter for the Child Support Agency "For Parents Who Live Apart" Leaflet
    • "Talkback" Leaflet
    • A Guide on Social Security benefits
    • RUC Charter
  3. (c) Tape
    • Water Quality Register Leaflet
    • Water Quality Standards Leaflet
    • Emergencies and Complaints on Water Quality Leaflet "Orange Badge" Scheme
    • Leaflets and publications relating to the marketing and promotion of training and employment services.
    • The Northern Ireland Charter for the Child Support Agency "For Parents Who Live Apart" Leaflet
    • "Talkback" Leaflet
    • The Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Practice on the Employment of People with Disabilities
    • RUC Charter
    • "At Your Service - An A to Z Guide for Older People"

The equal opportunities officer in the Department of Finance and Personnel is in a position to inform visually impaired staff of the availability of the NICS code of practice on the employment of people with disabilities.

Departments work closely with the Royal National Institute for the Blind to help promote services and programmes which are available.