Government Asked to put its Money where its Mouth is. (Lorely Burt MP)

Government Asked to put its Money where its Mouth is.

February 15, 2006 12:59 PM

Thosands of children with communications impairments have been betrayed by the Government's decision to not renew funding for The Communications Aids project (CAP). Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt is adding her weight to Scope's campaign which is calling on the Government to renew funding the project.

Unless this decision is reversed thousands of school-aged children with communication difficulties will lose access to communication aids such as computer equipment and voice output communication aids.

Mrs Burt, who signed an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to provide funding for Communication Aids, said: "Government has simply got this wrong. It is completely unacceptable to cut expenditure by denying existing support to some of the most vulnerable in society."

CAP has provided assessment, equipment and training to more than 4,000 children since it was set up in 2002, but many more still didn't get the equipment or support they needed because of local authorities constant battle with Government over funding. As a result disabled children with communication impairments were left without the means to communicate their wishes or decisions.

Jenny Heard, mother of a seven year old with cerebral palsy, said: "My son, Adam's CAP assessment took a year and we've only just managed to get a communication aid ordered before the CAP money ran out. Funding shortfalls in many local authorities mean that without statutory funding for communication equipment and the necessary support, there is no future guarantee that Adam or anyone else will get a voice when they need it."

The decision to not renew funding for CAP comes hot-on-the-heels of the Government's Welfare Reform bill, which is planning could withdraw Incapacity Benefit support from those who are disabled and are in greatest need.

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Lorely Burt MP