§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what steps the Committee is taking to ensure that deafness and hearing loss are not barriers in contacting hon. Members. [31250]
§ Mrs. RoeNone. This is not the responsibility of the Administration Committee. However during the last Parliament the Committee considered a report of an audit by the RNID disability consultancy on the services and facilities provided in the Palace for deaf and hard of hearing people. Following that review a number of improvements were made. The House of Commons Information Office also advertises the fact that it welcomes calls via Typetalk.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what training the Committee has initiated for hon. Members and their staff in sign language and lip speaking. [31252]
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§ Mrs. RoeNone. However I understand that in the past both the House authorities and voluntary organisations have offered seminars on providing services to constituents with disabilities. The Employers' Forum on Disability, to which the House authorities subscribe, has produced a publication called the MPs' Guide on Disability. This includes brief guidance on communicating with lip readers and communicating via an interpreter with a sign language user. Copies are available from the Department of Finance and Administration.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans the Committee has for providing(a) Braille translation facilities, (b) Braille typing facilities, (c) text phone availability and (d) text answer phone supply for hon. Members. [31249]
§ Mrs. RoeNone. This is not strictly a matter for the Committee. I understand that in the past Members with certain disabilities have benefited from additional facilities and equipment. Following the Resolutions of the House of 5 July 2001, a proportion of the new General Services Budget is available to meet certain extra costs incurred in making adjustments to the working conditions of Members with disabilities, or in providing special equipment. This could include the provision of special telephone equipment or Braille equipment, and training in its use.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what steps the Committee is taking to make methods of contacting hon. Members available to those people who are hard of hearing or visually impaired, known to these communities. [31253]
§ Mrs. RoeNone, this is not the responsibility of the Administration Committee. However the Department of Finance and Administration is able to advise on disability issues including methods of communication, and individual Members may publicise their willingness to receive BT TextDirect and RNID Typetalk calls.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans the Committee has for promoting the RNID Typetalk service with hon. Members. [31251]
§ Mrs. RoeNone. RNID Typetalk is a free service which relays conversations between people who use textphones and people who use voice telephones; Members do not need a dedicated telephone number in order to receive Typetalk calls.