§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government have taken since 1997 to increase facilities and services for blind people; and if he will make a statement. [61147]
§ Jacqui SmithA number of initiatives have begun and legislative changes taken place since 1997 that benefit people with visual impairments as well as other disabled people. Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, deals with discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities. Since 1999, for example, service providers have had to take reasonable steps to change practices, policies or procedures, which make it impossible, or unreasonably difficult for disabled people including those with visual impairments to use a service.
The community equipment services strategy, which was published in March 2001, calls for increases in the number of people benefiting from equipment. It highlights the importance of equipment and adaptations for visually impaired people. "Doubly Disabled", published in 1999, provided essential background and guidance for senior National Health Service managers with specific responsibility for advising on access for blind and other disabled persons to services and employment. Last month the Department issued fair access to care services, which provides guidance to councils with social services responsibilities on how they may achieve fair access to care services through reviewing and revising their eligibility criteria for all adult service users. Additionally, we have recently awarded the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) jointly a project grant to develop visual care standards.