InterCardiff

As Deaf Awareness Week in the UK comes to a close, campaigners are reminding public bodies that accessibility should not be treated as an afterthought.

This year’s theme, “Beyond the Silence,” focuses on breaking down barriers to full accessibility for individuals with hearing loss, celebrating the diverse ways Deaf people communicate, and highlighting the richness of Deaf culture.

In Cardiff, the British Deaf Association Wales is continuing its push for better inclusion of British Sign Language (BSL) across public services. Campaigners say access to information in BSL remains inconsistent, leaving many deaf people struggling to access essential services.

Martin Griffith says communication barriers continue to affect deaf people in everyday situations, especially when accessing healthcare and other vital public services. He says many of these challenges could be avoided if qualified BSL interpreters were readily available when needed.

For many deaf people, inclusion is not just about awareness campaigns or symbolic gestures, it’s about equal access, independence, and being able to communicate without barriers. Campaigners hope Deaf Awareness Week will inspire long-term action towards creating a more accessible and inclusive society for everyone.

After the Renters’ Rights Act went into effect in England last week, campaigners in Wales are asking why tenants here are not getting the same protections.

Students say they would benefit from an end to fix term tenancies, which the Renters’ Right Act bans.
The Welsh Government were unable to comment due to the ongoing elections. Whatever the results of the Senedd election today, say it’s time for change.

The UK is bringing in a major new smoking law that could mean anyone born after 2009 will never legally be able to buy ci******es. The government says it’s about creating a smoke-free generation, but while many welcome the move, others are questioning how effective a ban like this will really be.

Do people still care about Iran?
Persian families in Cardiff say they still can’t contact their loved ones in Iran because of the internet blackout.
Ashkan Amidi, an Iranian barber in Cardiff City Centre, says he finds the continuing lack of contact with his family back home difficult. He’s far from the only one.
2,000 Iranians live in Wales, with many feeling the pain of being unable to contact family members.
Two months since Iranians in Cardiff took to the streets to celebrate the death of the Ayatollah, Iranians here say they feel forgotten. They say the world’s media is focusing on the struggle between Trump and the regime in Tehran while their pain continues.

Are you worried that your bicycle will be stolen?🚴

In order to make cyclists feel more confident, Cardiff Council is planning to build the second phase of secure bicycle lockers. 36 will be in the city centre, and an additional 50 are in the wider area. These lockers are solar-powered and don’t require a Wi-Fi connection. The council say they are the only smart lockers with the highest security rating in the UK!

The new lockers will be available by the end of April. These secure parking spots will cost 1.5 pounds per day, 7.5 pounds per week, and 20 pounds per month.
Will you use them? Tell us in the comments!📢

Cardiff residents say they are confused by the city’s new recycling system, especially those living in flats and shared buildings. While the previous system had a 30% contamination rate, Cardiff Council says new red and blue bags have helped cut that to under 10%. But for some residents, the system feels increasingly complicated. The council says more changes are coming, with plans to contact households in September to explain how to improve soft plastics recycling.♻️

Local traders risk shutting down their businesses as Cardiff Indoor Flea Market could be demolished to make way for nearly 100 new council homes.

The indoor market that features more than 70 stalls, sells everything from jewellery, antiques, fine china, furniture and more. It has long provided an affordable space for small businesses that cannot compete with high street rents. It is not just a place for business but a place where a closely integrated community has been built, some say.

While some see the proposed development as a necessary step to address housing demand in Cardiff, they still think it is sad because it risks displacing a closely integrated community and erasing one of the largest auction and market site in Wales.

Plans are not yet final and remain open for consultation until May 1.

What do you think should take priority? Livelihoods or housing?