Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure vision impaired children are able to access (a) specialist equipment, (b) materials in large print and (c) audio described online learning materials at home during the covid-19 lockdown.

Where pupils with vision impairment are not in school, we expect schools to provide suitable remote learning materials, which could include large print materials and other alternative learning formats. Schools know their pupil’s needs best, and the Children and Families Act 2014 sets out that schools and other institutions must use their best endeavours to ensure that the special educational provision called for by the pupil’s or student’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is made.

We have funded National Star College’s SEND Hub, focused on training school leaders, teachers, and SEND coordinators on ways that assistive technology can further enhance an inclusive curriculum.

Peer support, advice and training is available through the EdTech demonstrator network, where schools and colleges are on hand to offer guidance on ways that technology can be used to support remote education arrangements.