The third episode in the second series of this Yorkshire Calendar programme produced during the International Year of Disabled People and presented by Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson. In this programme an exploration of what is considered the forgotten disabilities, deafness and blindness. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Calendar At Your Service In a classroom at Tapton Comprehensive School in Sheffield sixth former Julie Hockley who is blind talks about her fears of...

The third episode in the second series of this Yorkshire Calendar programme produced during the International Year of Disabled People and presented by Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson. In this programme an exploration of what is considered the forgotten disabilities, deafness and blindness. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Calendar At Your Service In a classroom at Tapton Comprehensive School in Sheffield sixth former Julie Hockley who is blind talks about her fears of people poking fun at her because of her disability. Title: Blind Prejudice Credit: with Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson Presenter Richard Madeley explains that Julie has been registered blind since birth and yet is able to attend Tapton Comprehensive, one of only two state schools in the country that accepts pupils with this disability. Providing statistics as to the numbers of deaf and blind in the country he explains how for many there is a feeling that they are the forgotten disabilities. Co-presenter Vyvyan Mackeson provides details on new government thinking with regards more disabled children being educated in ordinary schools but being 10-years behind Sheffield City Council and Tapton Comprehensive School. A montage of pupils at this typical 1980s state school with two blind boys being assisted down steps and pupils in a class using braille machines. Richard speaks with two Derbyshire sixth formers Margaret Skidmore and Julie Hockley about the shock of transferring from Tapton Mount special school to this ordinary comprehensive, how they feel they have integrated and about what they have gained from being in such a school rather than staying on in a special school. Margaret Skidmore believes integration at an early age is important as it has given her the self-confidence to go out into the world and is planning potentially a career abroad. Back in the studio Richard speaks with the Leader of Sheffield City Council David Blunkett who is himself blind. He talks about his own early experiences in a special school in Shropshire before being asked about the scheme at Tapton Comprehensive. He sees it as an excellent idea and a positive example of what integration can do to bring to the visually impaired helping them become accepted members of society. On being asked what society can do to help, Mr Blunkett explains the getting rid of prejudice and fear is key. On his own experience, Mr Blunkett doesn’t think he is himself exceptional rather that people need the right encouragement and support to be able to bring out the best in themselves. Following a brief introduction by Vyvyan about those who lose their sight in later life Richard visits Headingly Castle in Leeds where a class of potential Technical Officers are learning to use braille machines. In a kitchen area as Mrs Mary Sutcliffe, who is almost completely blind, makes herself a cup of tea Richard talks about those on the course having a desire and ability to pass on the skills learned having to live in a world of darkness and shadow. In another kitchen area Instructor of the Blind George Moor learns how to use an adapted microwave oven. Outside he explains to Richard that he originally applied to be on this course as he wanted to pass on his knowledge of being blind to other to better their lives. On being ask how does a person who has become blind overcome their fears, he explains by never giving up and by leading as much of a full a life as they did before they went blind. As he talks, he strides confidently across the castle lawn with his guide dog. Richard takes part in an experiment in which he is blindfolded and is shown by a female instructor the right and wrong way to lead a blind person. Moving on from the blind to those with hearing loss, back in the studio Richard explains how for many deaf people there is a feeling of a lack of sympathy from the public for their condition and that they are getting a ‘raw deal’. After talking about the challenges of diagnosis deafness especially in small children a class of severely deaf children at Racecommon School in Barnsley. As the class continues with each child carrying their hearing airs around the necks, Richard explains that the school considers integration with hearing children as very important. In her home Richard speaks with Mrs Angela Midgley with regards her son Scott who sits on her knee. She talks about how Scott wasn’t diagnosed until he was in nursery school and about how challenging he was as a baby. She also talks about the difficulty in convincing other people that Scott wasn’t intellectually disabled. Richard speaks with Scott about his hearing aid and his school and ends with Mrs Midgeley talking about why it was important that Scott attended a normal rather than special school. Following an introduction by Richard on another form of deafness that affects two-million people Tinnitus, Vyvyan speaks with Martin Smith who is the Principal of the Leeds Centre for the Deaf about this condition which is ignored by most of society. Martin explains that Tinnitus makes sufferers feel stress, fear and anxiety. He goes onto to talk about ways in which the profoundly deaf can learn to communicate through a visual, manual or sign-language, why this is important, and why he is an advocate even though it isn’t taught in schools as there is a prejudice against it. Across the studio Richard speaks with Mike Garnett the Regional Information Officer for the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) who provides some details on what limited benefits are available for the deaf and the blind. He also explains that it is a myth that there is something called the ‘Blind Pension’ and provides details with regards provisions for transport and National Health Service (NHS) aids that are available. Vyvyan provides the names and contact details of voluntary organisation that provide support, advise and friendship to the blind and deaf after which Richard provides details on next week’s edition on issues relating to mental illness. Title: Calendar At Your Service Credit: was presented by Richard Madeley and Vyvyan Mackeson Editorial Assistant Patrick Dean, Eve Conway Director Derek Goodall Producer Petrina Rance Editor Graham Ironside End title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production. © Trident Television Ltd. MCMLXXXI