With the implementation of the SVISUAL sign language video interpretation service, El Corte Inglés in Alicante has made a significant stride towards inclusivity. This service is intended for deaf users of the language. The event presenter clarified that this initiative “reinforces its commitment to service and accessibility so that everyone can receive quality care.” This system was initially introduced in Murcia and has since been implemented in Cartagena, Valencia, and Castellón. It has been further expanded to include Alicante and Elche, thereby concluding its implementation throughout the Valencian Community.

The significance of partnerships in facilitating this advancement was underscored by Santiago Sánchez, the Communications Director of El Corte Inglés Murcia. “This project was initiated as a pilot project in Murcia nearly two years ago, and we have been gradually expanding its implementation throughout the Valencian Community, thanks to the National Confederation of the Deaf’s collaboration and the Regional Office of El Corte Inglés in Levante’s dedication.” He also announced its imminent extension to Castilla-La Mancha. He also underscored that it is “a source of pride that from now on, anyone who visits El Corte Inglés and requires the assistance of a sign language interpreter will have it.”

Carolina García, president of the Federation of the Deaf in the Valencian Community, participated in the presentation to emphasise the recognition of sign language. She stated, “Article 13.4 explicitly states that sign language is the language of deaf people, was created by deaf people, and should be the object of care, respect, and value.” García expressed gratitude to El Corte Inglés for its dedication, describing it as “a perfect example of this accessibility achieved” and expressing his hope that “other companies will follow El Corte Inglés’ example to make their various areas accessible.”

Lidia López, the Councillor for Social Welfare of the Alicante City Council, also attended the event. She emphasised the significance of companies such as El Corte Inglés taking such significant actions, which, as she stated, “eliminate all types of barriers and serve as an example to other companies in the municipality of Alicante and, consequently, in other provinces.”

Employees of El Corte Inglés have received training to comprehend individuals with hearing impairments and use the app embedded on their tablets to communicate with interpreters. The CNS Foundation for the Removal of Communication Barriers, the Federation of the Deaf of the Valencian Community, and El Corte Inglés are collaborating to implement this initiative.

The night of the blackout in Alicante was uneventful due to the extensive deployment of National Police officers, who were responsible for ensuring security and preventing looting or vandalism that could benefit from the power disruption.

Although police sources have stated that this type of violation is common and cannot be associated with the power disruption, numerous thefts from vehicles parked on public roads were reported last night.

The Provincial Police Station organised a massive deployment that involved officers from all brigades, in addition to the regular force. During the blackout night, they made five arrests, two for gender-based violence and one for coercing a tenant in a residence.

Additionally, police apprehended a North African male who was transporting a machete in a vehicle. The city of Alicante experienced a reduction in criminal offences as a result of the extensive police deployment.

The robberies affected the owners of a car and a van in the Rabasa neighbourhood, who had their windows smashed early in the morning to take their possessions.

Residents of this neighbourhood have recently reported that drug addicts have been residing there, sleeping in tents. They are willing to consider the possibility that these individuals are connected to robberies and other criminal offences, such as the theft of a bicycle.

The Generalitat (the Catalan government) is in the process of finalising the initial phase of its emergency plan to address the housing crisis in the Valencian Community. On Tuesday, April 29th, the Generalitat received the final pending proposals for the construction of subsidised housing units which include 629 homes in Torrevieja.

This announcement is the result of the tendering process that was published in December and is the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Services, Equality, and Housing. At that time, President Carlos Mazón evaluated the transition from “zero public housing in eight years” to “the bidding process for 1,675 social housing units in the Valencian Community by the end of 2024.”

The Valencian Housing and Land Authority is responsible for the implementation of this system, as the First Vice-Presidency of the Consell has noted. The barter of land in exchange for construction facilitated a process for which this entity is accountable.

The initiative has been most widely adopted by municipalities in the province of Alicante. Elche, Sant Joan, Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Torrevieja, Vila Joiosa, and Xàbia have also joined, in addition to the capital. Castelló, Gandia, Sagunt, and Valencia are the four additional municipalities that have joined these.

The deadline for submitting proposals in all of these municipalities expired in March. The only bidder to receive a one-month extension was Torrevieja. The ministry’s statement emphasises that “the interest generated was so substantial that 31 companies submitted bids”, some of which were for multiple plots.

Six companies have submitted proposals for Torrevieja, where the construction of approximately 629 residences is scheduled to commence. The deadline for submission is now approaching.

The Consell established the Vive Plan of the Valencian Community, which includes these actions. The plan’s objective is to use available public land, both regional and municipal, to construct protected housing.

Currently, the Generalitat (Catalan Government) is forming numerous contracting committees to oversee the execution of these tenders. The First Vice-Presidency recently announced the proposed award to two companies for the construction of 72 houses in Elche and an additional 29 homes in the Garbinet area of Alicante. Sixteen of these 101 residences will be incorporated into the Generalitat’s public housing inventory.

This is all part of the Valencian Government’s objective to promote the construction of affordable, social housing to address the current housing crisis. The Generalitat (Catalan government) maintains that this initiative is being enthusiastically received and emphasises that it has “promoted substantial interest in the industry.” The objective is to construct 10,000 social housing units during this period.