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Cardiff Council's Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman officially launched the Communication Support Policy for residents who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing at Cardiff Central Library on Thursday 17th of September.

The policy is a milestone for Cardiff Council in providing communication support for deaf customers. The communication support provided includes, BSL interpretation, deaf blind interpretation, lipspeaking and palantypists.

The new policy and services will allow deaf people to have more independence and make it easier for them to access Council services including contacting Council Officers and Elected Members.

The policy has been welcomed by local and national organisations for deaf people including Deaf Association Wales (DAW), the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), and Wales Council for Deaf People (WCDP) with representatives from each organisation attending the launch.

Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman, said "Cardiff is one of the first councils in Wales to demonstrate it's commitment in providing accessible services to people who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.

"The policy will ensure council services are more accessible and I am delighted we have the support of the deaf community in Cardiff who will help us to take the policy forward."

Norman Moore, director of Wales Council for Deaf People said: ''WCDP welcomes this policy.  As far as I am aware this is the first council in Wales to produce such a positive initiative.  It will go some way to ensuring equal access to public services for deaf and hard of hearing people in the capital."
 
Richard Williams, director of RNID Cymru, said: "People who are deaf and hard of hearing can face great barriers in communicating with local authorities, especially when dealing with call centres.

"This policy will enable Cardiff Council to communicate more effectively and make their services more accessible by giving clear guidance to the public and their own staff, for instance on how to book British Sign Language interpreters.

 "We welcome this policy and would like to see other local authorities and public bodies follow this example to improve the accessibility of their services to people who are deaf and hard of hearing."

Those wanting to arrange communication support should contact a member of staff at the chosen Council venue in which they require the support, including Council offices, leisure centres or library. The staff member will then book the support on your behalf.