asked the Minister for Education if her Department will commit more resources to mobility training for the blind, as recommended in a report (details supplied) on services for the blind.
178.
Written Answers. - Training for the Blind.
174.
asked the Minister for Education the reason peripatetic teachers for the visually impaired are not trained in mobility work.
179.
asked the Minister for Education the reason blind people who require mobility training are referred to the National Council for the Blind rather than having it provided at special schools or by peripatetic teachers at ordinary schools.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 178 and 179 together.
The task of the visiting teachers for the visually impaired is to advise parents and teachers on the educational problems associated with visual impairment. Mobility training is a specialised field and is not combined with the qualification of teaching. Formal mobility training involves long cane work, guide dog work, etc. The special schools for the visually impaired, which are both day and residential, have the services of trained mobility officers. However, since mobility training is primarily concerned with activities or daily living in the community generally it is most appropriate that such training should be provided as an out of school experience and in real situations in the child's own environment, by people who work at local level. It is my view that the officers of the National Council for the Blind, who work locally and provide mobility training for visually impaired adults, are best placed to provide similar training for children in their own locations. Such services come within the remit of the Department of Health.
175.
asked the Minister for Education if she has read a report (details supplied) on the services for the blind; and if so if and when she will implement its recommendations.
176.
asked the Minister for Education if, in light of a report (details supplied) on services for the blind, she has satisfied herself regarding the educational assessment procedures for blind children.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The report has been studied by officials of my Department. I have asked that the report be forwarded and considered by the Primary Education Review Board. Any policy development in relation to the disabled will arise on consideration of the review body's report when it becomes available.