asked the Minister for Education the present position in regard to each of the matters referred to by him in the reply to a parliamentary question on 10 March 1981 as being undertaken at that time to mark the International Year of the Disabled to assist persons with each of the following handicaps (a) impairment of limbs, (b) deafness, (c) speech impairment, (d) blindness and (e) mental handicap; if he will state in each instance where a matter was then being referred to a committee if the committee has reported thereon; and the action taken on its report.
Written Answers. - Assistance for Disabled.
499.
Impairment of limbs: (i) The committee formed to review the provisions made to meet the educational needs of physically handicapped children completed its report in August last. The report was published in February 1982. The recommendations for improvements in existing services and for the provision of new facilities are being considered having regard to the need to make the best possible use of the resources available. (ii) The report of the committee appointed to prepare guidelines for architects and school planners on the criteria of design for the disabled which should be used in the planning of new schools is in the final stages of drafting and will shortly be ready for printing.
Deafness: The complement of the visiting teaching service for children with hearing impairment continues at 27.
Blindness: Two places were allocated for teachers of the blind on the 1981-82 Diploma Course in Special Education and again on the 1982-83 course. A supplementary short course to meet the specific needs of teachers of visually impaired children will start this summer.
Mental Handicap: (i) Two further volumes of curriculum guidelines were issued to all teachers in schools for moderately handicapped children.
Special courses for these teachers were held in five centres in autumn 1981. Work is continuing in relation to other areas of the curriculum. (ii) The report of the working party formed to examine the education and training needs of severely and profoundly mentally handicapped children is nearing completion. The final draft report is expected to be ready next autumn. (iii) The question of the feasibility of setting up more special classes at post-primary school level for children with mild mental handicap is being examined on the basis of a report from a Departmental committee.
Disabled Students and Public Examinations: Certain recommendations received from the working party which examined the needs of the disabled student in public examinations are being implemented.