The Welsh Parliament election on 7 May is a vital moment to push for, and secure change. Every day, RNID represents more than 850,000 people in Wales who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. That’s 1 in 3 people who face barriers every day that prevent them from accessing the services, support and opportunities they need. Many of these barriers can be easily fixed - but only if the next government prioritise action.
To achieve this, RNID is calling on the next Welsh Government to adopt our six key asks:
1. Equal access to NHS services across the NHS
Welsh NHS services remain inaccessible for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, putting their health at risk and undermining their right to privacy and dignity.
RNID is calling for:
- Better communication support
- Accessible digital services and standards
- Training for NHS staff on meeting people’s communication needs
2. Modernise and invest in audiology services to support early intervention and diagnosis of hearing loss.
Too many people in Wales are still waiting for, or are left without access to essential audiology treatment – from wax removal, to hearing checks to getting a hearing aid fitted. This affects people’s ability to work, socialise and live well.
RNID is calling for:
- Regular hearing checks to be promoted to improve diagnosis
- NHS Audiology services in local communities
- Guaranteed free wax removal for all those who need it
3. Create an online Information Hub to support employers to recruit and retain deaf and disabled staff.
Deaf people, particularly BSL users, and people who have hearing loss face persistent barriers to work. Negative attitudes and behaviours from employers and colleagues remain the biggest challenge and undermine efforts for inclusion at work.
RNID is calling for:
- An online Hub with information for employers on employing disabled people, as well as information for disabled people looking for work.
- Showcase real examples of good employer practice.
- Create the Hub with people who are deaf or have hearing loss and employers, ensuring it is regularly updated and widely promoted across Wales.
4. All employment support services across Wales used by deaf people and people with hearing loss to be accessible, and tailored to people's needs.
Deaf people are more likely to be unemployed than the wider population, we need action to make sure everyone has the opportunity to work.
- Fix the gaps in employment support in Wales so people who are deaf or have hearing loss aren’t left behind.
- Make all employment services accessible.
- Ensure specialist programmes (like those for disabled people or over 50s) support and meet the needs of people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
5. Implement the BSL Wales Bill and ensure deaf BSL users in Wales have equal access to public services.
The British Sign Language (Wales) Bill has passed through the Senedd. We’re calling for the next Government to:
- Ensure BSL users are involved throughout the implementation process
- Set clear targets for what the Bill should achieve
- Build the BSL interpreter workforce to support public services
6. Work with people who are deaf or have hearing loss in a process of co-production to deliver public services and government strategies that transform their life chances.
We want the next Government to prioritise deaf people and people with hearing loss, and tackle barriers in every day life with an effective cross-Government strategy.
RNID are calling for:
- Government to work with deaf and disabled people to develop the strategy.
- Take a cross-Government approach to addressing barriers across health, employment, transport and all public services.
- Collect better data on the experiences of deaf and disabled people, and set clear targets to make improvements
You can read the full Wales manifesto on the RNID website.
