Today, a demonstration was held at the Women’s Center in Almansa to officially introduce a new video interpretation service aimed at deaf women. This initiative, already being implemented in Women’s Centers in Castilla-La Mancha, aims to ensure access to essential services without communication barriers.
The event featured Gema Valiente and Antonieta García, two deaf women who emphasized the importance of this accessibility advancement. Also in attendance were José Antonio Gil, coordinator of the Federation of Deaf People of Castilla-La Mancha, and Pilar Callado, the mayor of Almansa, all highlighting the significance of this resource in enhancing the autonomy of deaf women in the region.
Gema Valiente expressed her gratitude for the service implementation, stating that «it was much needed for a long time.» She underscored the fundamental nature of accessibility in Women’s Centers, especially for those facing dual discrimination as women and deaf individuals.
Anotnieta García highlighted the independence provided by the video interpretation service. «This service gives us a lot of freedom for various things, like psychological support, without depending on someone to accompany us,» she affirmed.
Jose Antonio Gil, the coordinator of the Federation of Deaf People of Castilla-La Mancha, expressed satisfaction with the service implementation, emphasizing its essential nature and calling it a historic step. He also noted that there are approximately 15,000 people with hearing disabilities in the region, with 4,000 being users of Sign Language.
Almansa’s mayor, Pilar Callado, reaffirmed her commitment to accessibility and inclusion. «This service allows deaf women to independently visit Women’s Centers and freely express their needs without barriers,» she stated. She also highlighted other initiatives from the City Council, such as sign language interpretation at local events like the fair’s opening ceremony and the Three Kings parade.
The video interpretation system is now available in all 88 Women’s Centers in Castilla-La Mancha. The first demonstration took place in Priego, Cuenca, and Almansa now becomes the second location to formally introduce the service.
This initiative reinforces the commitment to equal access to public services, ensuring that deaf women can receive attention on equal terms and with complete privacy. The implementation of this system represents a significant step forward in the inclusion of individuals with hearing disabilities in women’s support resources.