According to RNID - in Wales there are around 575,500 deaf and hard of hearing people - the population of Cardiff and Swansea combined. Despite this, public services in Wales have been heavily criticised for lack of support - in terms of interpreters, visual communication, support and information.
If you are D/deaf or hard of hearing and want to know more about support and services available in Wales, there are several organisations listed here that can help you.
© Tobias Jakobs [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Wales Council for Deaf People (WCDP) is Pontypridd-based and works with D/deaf organisations covering most of Wales. Services include:
The organisation has USW-ties having worked with lecturers and students to provide basic sign language tuition for health-based courses.
Can you help?
Student volunteers are needed to help with administration and website development. If interested, get in touch.
Check the website for further information or follow on Facebook & Twitter.
Deaf Hub Wales in Cardiff is a D/deaf centre in the heart of the capital city, providing support and social networks for D/deaf people in and around Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
The centre celebrates Deaf identify and British Sign Language (BSL), providing a place for many Deaf groups to educate, promote and support both children and adults.
The hub has a rich history and culture that has been celebrated in a major living memory video project called Deaf Heritage. The project is led by USW specialist support staff and Deaf Hub co-ordinator, Stuart Parkinson. The videos are fascinating visual recordings of Deaf people and CODAs sharing their their stories and memories of their lives in sign language (with English captions).
The centre which became a charity in 2013 after Cardiff City Council withdrew funding, relies on Lottery funding, donations and fundraising to maintain the building and run events.
Check the website and Facebook page for further information.
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