IMPROVING LIVES COALITION

Early day motion 843, tabled 12 February 2002 by David Heath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 84 members.

That this House welcomes the launch of the Improving Lives Coalition, bringing together over 100 visual impairment organisations including The National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired People, the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Action for Blind People to promote changes that will end the lottery of community care for the blind and partially sighted people; notes with concern that over two thirds of those who are eligible are not registered as blind or partially sighted and that the majority of these people do not receive any social care services, that many areas to not have community-based rehabilitation officers, and that 88 per cent. of people over 65 who have cataracts and 75 per cent. who have glaucoma have no contact with eye specialists; and therefore calls on the Government to develop a nationwide strategy for visual impairment services in England to ensure the necessary structures, strategies, standards and resources are put in place to overcome these inequalities.

Signatures by party: Labour 49, Liberal Democrat 22, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 5, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.