ACCESS TO TEXTBOOKS AND READING FOR BLIND AND DYSLEXIC CHILDREN

Early day motion 1210, tabled 18 March 2008 by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 85 members.

That this House expresses its concern that one year after 250 visually impaired and dyslexic children, their families and teachers lobbied Parliament, there has been little improvement in the provision of textbooks in accessible formats for these children; notes that in 2008, the Year of Reading, the lack of books available in large print, audio and Braille will deprive visually-impaired and dyslexic children of the chance to celebrate reading; and therefore calls on the Government to deliver on its welcome commitment to improving the provision of educational books in accessible formats and, as a matter of urgency, complete the creation of an action plan with the voluntary, educational and publishing sectors to explore new systems through which educational publishers can make electronic copies of their textbooks available for sale or licensing to specialist teachers and agencies.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 27, Conservative 11, DUP 5, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, UUP 1.