§ Lembit ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps her Department has taken to ensure libraries are equipped to help visually impaired people access information; and if she will make a statement; [61982]
(2) what measures her Department has taken to encourage the production of accessible books for blind and partially sighted people; and if she will make a statement. [61981]
§ Dr. HowellsAlthough my Department does not have a direct remit in terms of the production of books, we are responsible for policy on libraries and are encouraging them to make books accessible to the widest possible audience.
In 1998 my Department introduced Annual Library Plans (ALPs), a planning framework for the English library authorities. These require library authorities to assess provision needs, and to include discretionary local targets for people with disabilities.
The Department's Public Library Standards include further targets, which are being developed, for materials of use to people with disabilities. The standards also remind library authorities of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Since 2000 my Department's Public Libraries Challenge Fund has awarded over £234,000 towards the National Library for the Blind's "A Touch of and "A Touch more" projects to improve services in libraries and Resource, the council for museums, archives and libraries, have published a best practice manual. We are also ensuring that the new People's Network and other government ICT initiatives take full account of opportunities to improve such services.