Government Asked to put its Money where its Mouth is

12.00.00am GMT Wed 15th Feb 2006

Liberal Democrats MP, Lorely Burt

Thousands of children with communications impairments have been betrayed by the Government's decision to not renew funding for The Communications Aids project (CAP). 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.

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP, Lorely Burt is adding her weight to Scope's campaign which is calling on the Government to renew funding the project. Lorely Burt MP, 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.

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