UK Trade & Investment promotes special needs education to the world

UK Trade & Investment, the Government's international business development organisation today received an award from nasen (formerly the National Association for Special Educational Needs) for its pioneering work in promoting special needs education abroad.

The Government body is working closely with nasen to help UK companies who develop, create and manufacture products and services to help aid special needs learning such as audio visual aids, sensory chambers, games that teach basic numeracy and literacy as well as specialist furniture and equipment for disabled people.

It is helping these companies internationalise and export their products and services across the world to countries in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Gulf region.

Accepting the award this morning, UK Trade & Investment CEO Andrew Cahn said he was pleased the organisation was being recognised as a leader in promoting UK expertise in special education abroad.

"The UK is leading the charge in special needs education policy and in developing products, software and devices for people with learning difficulties.

"If we can export UK expertise in the area of special needs we will help the lives of thousands of people across the world, who at present, don't have access to the same educational opportunities that we do in the UK," Mr Cahn said.

"On a more personal level I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of UK Trade & Investment. Having two children of my own with special needs I know how important it is that public bodies deal sympathetically and positively with this issue. I am very proud of my staff for the work they do in this important area."

Presenting the award Lorraine Petersen, Chief Executive of nasen said that across the developing world there is a clear shift in thinking towards educating people with special needs.

"It is no longer an issue which is swept under the carpet. The UK is at the forefront of special needs education and we want to ensure that we can share

our expertise with other countries who are beginning to recognise the importance of special needs education," Ms Petersen said.

"Through its work, UK Trade & Investment is helping put special needs education on the agenda and making a real difference to the education of millions of people across the world," Ms Petersen said.

For the second successive year UK Trade & Investment is organising an inward mission of 20 overseas buyers to attend the nasen and TES Special Needs London exhibition which takes place at the Business Design Centre Islington from 19-20 October 2007. The event will showcase the latest educational resources and trends to specially selected buyers interested in UK products.