Community

Digital public services not working for visually impaired Welsh speakers

Published

9 months ago

August 6, 2025

Blind Welsh speaker calls out digital inequality at Eisteddfod panel event

DIGITAL public services are failing visually impaired users who want to access them in the Welsh language. This was the powerful message from Rob Williams during a panel event at the National Eisteddfod this week.

Hosted on the Welsh Government stand at the Eisteddfod, the event marked the launch of Access for All – a new book from the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) and Cardiff University. The publication brings together real-life stories, global best practice, and practical guidance to support more accessible digital design in Wales.

Rob, from Wrexham, is registered blind and a first language Welsh speaker. He acknowledged improvements in digital accessibility in recent years but said the lack of suitable Welsh-language screen reader technology continues to shut people like him out of essential services.

He highlighted that very few people can afford to buy braille displays, which allow users to read on-screen content in braille. He also noted that Welsh screen readers currently available can only be used for reading long texts or stories, as they’re not suitable for essential day-to-day digital tasks.

“Government websites in English are generally accessible if they follow digital standards. But I’ve never been able to use public services in Welsh,” he said. “There’s no suitable Welsh-language technology that I’m aware of to help me navigate them, so I don’t know what’s available or how usable those services are. I can’t even text my family in Welsh, which is frustrating and makes me sad, as I’ve spoken Welsh to them all my life”

Rob added: “The feeling of relying on someone else to complete a simple task, not because of your disability but because it hasn’t been adapted, is horrible. It could mean missing out on vital support or benefits.”

As a Digital Skills Officer for Vision Support, Rob regularly works with older Welsh speakers who struggle with digital services, sometimes due to low digital literacy, but often because of language barriers. “Welsh-language helplines are often unavailable or just not to the same standard as the English ones,” he said. “We’re encouraged to go digital, but until accessible Welsh-language screen readers are developed, offline services must remain properly available.”

Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones was on the panel during the discussion at the Eisteddfod. Efa said: “It’s important to acknowledge that progress is being made in this field. The Language Technologies Unit at Canolfan Bedwyr, for example, is undertaking excellent work – leading the way in research and development in both text and speech technologies.

“That said, Rob’s story is a powerful reminder that there is much still to do. If we are to ensure that Welsh speakers can fully benefit from language technology, further investment and work is needed.”

CDPS recently ran a research project exploring the state of digital accessibility in Welsh public services. The research found some good practice, but also highlighted major challenges – including unclear enforcement of standards, a lack of in-house skills, and poor accessibility in many third-party supplier products.

Joanna Goodwin, Head of User Centered Design at CDPS, said: “Behind every product, every service, and every policy, there are real people affected by the decisions we make. The stories in our book, as well as Rob’s, challenge us to think differently, to listen more closely, and to design with empathy.

“When we do that, something remarkable happens. Take video captions. Originally designed for people with hearing impairments, they’re now used by anyone watching videos in noisy places, quiet offices, or while learning a new language. Designing for people with access needs improves the experience for everyone.

“The Digital Service Standard for Wales demands that we make sure everyone can use our services. This isn’t just policy, it’s a moral imperative rooted in the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Our new book, launching today with Cardiff University, is more than guidance – it’s a call to action.”

Community

Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”

Community

Vintage tractor tour sets off from Pembroke Dock for Ireland

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTY-three vintage tractors left Pembroke Dock Ferry Port on Saturday (May 2) as part of a long-running tractor tour to Ireland.

The group boarded the ferry for the latest stage of an exchange which has been running since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

Organiser Alun Mason said: “The Tour of Ireland has been ongoing since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

“A large contingent travelled from Ireland and continue to do so every other year, with our visit this weekend and the Irish tractors due to visit in 2027.”

Some of the tractors taking part travelled from as far as Burry Port, Bridgend, Llandrindod Wells, Llandovery and Ceredigion before gathering at the ferry port.

The event brought together vintage tractor enthusiasts from across Wales ahead of the crossing to Ireland.

Pictured are organisers Jo Richards and Alun Mason, and the group waiting to embark at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port.

Vintage tour: Jo Richards and Alun Mason with tractors at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port (Pic: Martin Cavaney).

Community

Volunteers praised as Rath paddling pool gets summer makeover

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Questions raised over new netting as community pitches in to prepare popular spot

VOLUNTEERS have been praised for their efforts to get Milford Haven’s Rath paddling pool ready for summer – but a new addition has sparked debate among locals.

A group of residents, including Caroline Jones, Derek Abbott, Jordy, Tina Hawkins and Isla, were pictured this week installing colourful netting along the fence surrounding the pool.

The work forms part of ongoing efforts by the community to clean, maintain and improve the popular splash area ahead of the warmer months.

Caroline explained the netting had a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one.

She said: “It’s partly to try and prevent some of the grass cuttings getting into the pool but also to brighten the area up.”

Others suggested it could also help reduce the amount of litter blowing into the water – an issue that has been raised in previous summers.

The efforts were widely welcomed online, with many residents thanking those involved for giving up their time.

One commenter wrote: “A bit of praise for these volunteers who give our little ones a bit of enjoyment at the paddling pool. Well done all.”

Another added: “Well done and thank you everyone.”

Some questioned the need for the netting, with one resident saying: “I don’t understand the netting around the pool. It looked lovely as it was.”

The Rath paddling pool is a well-used facility during the summer months, particularly by families with young children, and relies heavily on volunteer support to keep it clean and operational.

Local groups, including TipTop Wheelies, are understood to be involved in helping prepare the site for the season.

Despite mixed views on the netting, the overwhelming response has been one of appreciation for those working behind the scenes to keep the facility open.