RPDPS Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Hearing Impaired/ POLICY 370LEXIPOL CommunicationsDisabled
Definition of deaf of hearing. deaf describes an individual.Deaf describes a group of people or a community who are deaf or hard . eafdand eafDDifference between to understand speech
even in the presence of amplification.is defined as a degree of loss such that a person is unable Deafness
Definition of Hard of Hearing adequate assistance to process speech.auditory device, such as a hearing aid or FM system, provides A hearing loss where there may be enough residual hearing
that an
Policy Definitions devices or auxiliary aids. regardless or whether the disabled person uses assistive or adaptive substantially limits a major life activity, including hearing or seeing,
A physical or mental impairment that -Disability or Impairmenttaped text; qualified readers; or a qualified interpreter.a teletypewriter (TTY) or videophones (video relay service or
BRS); or typewriter; an assistive listening system or device to amplify sound; note pad and pen or pencil to exchange written notes; a computer of gestures or visual aides to supplement
oral communication; a disability or impairment. They include, but are not limited to, the use Tools used to communicate with people who have a -Auxiliary aids
Policy Definitions continued…intermediary interpreters. oral interpreters, translators, sign language interpreters and any necessary specialized vocabulary. Qualified interpreters include
accurately and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using A person who is able to interpret effectively, –Qualified interpreter
Laws that pertain to Law treated differently than other people.segregated from services, be denied services, or otherwise be enforcement provides to anyone else. They may not be excluded
or deaf or hard of hearing are entitled to the same services law Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people who are Enforcement
ADA Requirements for effective communication head)can interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially. (Department When interpreters are needed. Agencies must provide interpreters
who hearing aids. Agencies do not have to provide personally prescribed devices such as services provided. Agencies cannot charge the person for the communication aids or service
requested by the person with the hearing disability.Agencies must give primary consideration to providing the aid or enforcement services being provided. in an undue burden or a fundamental
change in the nature of law or hard of hearing, except when a particular aid or service would result services needed to communicate effectively with people who are deaf Law Enforcement
agencies must provide the communication aids and with deaf or hard of hearing populations
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How much can someone who is simulator/-loss-https://www.hearinglikeme.com/hearingWhat does hearing loss sound like? (Open in Chrome)hard of hearing really hear?
Activity Telephone game
Ways to communicate effectively has been trained to speech read. An oral interpreter can be used when speaking with a person who person who knows sign language.A sign language interpreter
can be used when speaking with a when speaking with a person who is hard of hearing. An assistive listening system or device to amplify sound can be used the telephoneA teletypewriter
can be used to exchange written messages over exchange written notes.A pad and pencil, a word processor, or a typewriter can be used to Speech supplemented by gestures and visual
aids
Practical suggestions for writing skills. individuals who use sign language may lack good English reading and When communicating by writing notes, keep in mind that some reading.Remember
that only 1/3 of spoken word can be understood by speech Minimize background noiseIf a person is wearing a hearing aid, do not assume they can hear youDo not cover your mouth or
chew gumTry to converse in well lit areasFace the person and do not turn away while speakinga gentle tap on the shoulder.Before speaking, get the person’s attention with a wave of
the hand or communicating effectively
When is an interpreter needed?language or speech reading to understand what others are saying.if the person being interviewed normally relies on sign -arresteesuch as interviewing a
victim, witness, suspect or -transactionsHowever, an interpreter may be needed in lengthy or complex Examplescrime in progress. such as responding to a violent -or for urgent situations–location
such as checking a license or giving directions to a -transactionsGenerally, interpreter services are not required for simple
What does our policy say?such individuals in any law enforcement contact.policy of this department to take all reasonable steps to accommodate Disabilities Act (ADA)and Civil Code section
54.1, it is therefore the obligations and services. In accordance with the Americans with gaining meaningful access to, or an understanding of important rights, impaired vision, mental
or other disabilities may encounter difficulties in Individuals who suffer from deafness, hearing impairment, blindness, Purpose and Scope
impairments.individual(s) with known or suspected disabilities or communication confusion and misunderstanding when dealing with any verbal and written communication in an effort to
minimize initial problems and exercise special care in the use of all gestures, and employees should remain alert to the possibility of communication potentially volatile and/or emotionally
charged, department Recognizing that various law enforcement encounters may be communicate with an individual suffering from any disability. reasonably available to them when determining
how to Employees of this department should consider all information
Field Resources known or suspected disabled or impaired person. resources immediately available to them in any contact with a Individual officers and employees are encouraged to utilize
American Sign Language for Additional Public Safety ASL Resource/language-sign-resources/american-and-resources/tools-https://frdat.niagara.edu/support Firefighters
Blind or Low Vision Definitions medication or eye surgery. that can’t be corrected fully with glasses, contact lenses, is the term used to describe significant visual impairment -Low
visionrefers to inability to see-Blind
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Sighted Guide Technique Basics
Sighted Guide Techniques for Narrow Spaces, Doorways and Stairs
Sighted Guide Techniques for Seating
Activity SeatingStairsDoorsNarrow PassagewaysTransferring sidesGreetingPractice Sighted Guide Techniques
Our Policy suspected disabilities or communication impairments.misunderstanding when dealing with any individual(s) with known or communication in an effort to minimize initial confusion
and exercise special care in the use of all gestures, and verbal and written should remain alert to the possibility of communication problems and potentially volatile and/or emotionally
charged, department employees Recognizing that various law enforcement encounters may be Initial and Immediate Considerations
Custodial interrogations and communication with disabled or impaired individuals. every reasonable effort to accurately and effectively providing communication assistance in these situations
will make related criminal prosecution. As such, department personnel may have a substantial impact on the evidence presented in any recognized that miscommunication during custodial
interrogations communication assistance during such situations. It is further This department places a high priority on providing reasonable bookings
Our Policy individual to sign or write notes.placing the handcuffs in front of the body in order to allow the and placed in handcuffs, officers should consider, safety permitting, Whenever
a deaf or hearing impaired individual is detained or arrested individuals with access to all necessary services.require that other reasonable accommodation be made to assist such crutches
during a custodial situation, the removal of such items will physically disabled individual to retain devices such as a wheel chair or While it may present officer safety or other logistical
problems to allow a be permitted to retain such devices while in custody.Individuals who require communication aids (e.g., hearing aids) should situations:provide effective communication
assistance in the following It is important for this department to make every reasonable effort to
TTY and Relay Service conducted as if speaking directly to the caller.Note that relay services translate verbatim, so the conversation must be TTY and TDD communications. needed, for
effective communication due to the slower nature of available TTY or TDD. Members shall provide additional time, as have impaired speech the opportunity to place calls using an members
must also provide those who are deaf, heard of hearing or access to a telephone (e.g., booking or attorney contacts), In situations where an individual without a disability would have
that adult for such assistance is reasonable under the circumstances.communication and the adult agrees to provide such assistance, and reliance on The person with the disability requests
that the adult interpret or facilitate reasonably available.There is an emergency or critical situation and there is no qualified interpreter Adults may be relied on when (28 CFR
35.160):situations.Children should not be relied upon except in emergency or critical disability and the person offering services must be carefully considered. nature of the contact
and relationship between the individual with the carefully consider the circumstances before relying on such individuals. The While family or friends may offer to assist with interpretation,
members should Family and Friends
Reporting attached to the report or placed into evidence.All written communications exchanged in a criminal case shall be document why another method of communication was used. individual’s
express preference is not honored, the member must provided by the Department or some other identified source. If the services utilized and whether the individual elected to use services
report. Members should document the type of communication has been provided, such services should be noted in the related a report or other documentation, and communication assistance
Whenever any member of this department is required to complete
Custodial Interrogations without an interpreter.that he/ she understands the process and desires to proceed circumstances exist or the individual has made a clear indication services
before beginning an interrogation, unless exigent custodial interrogation, this department will provide interpreter hard of hearing or have speech impairment are protected during a
In an effort to ensure that the rights of individuals who are deaf,
Miranda Warnings Miranda warning card. heard of hearing by a qualified interpreter or by providing a written Miranda warnings shall be provided to suspects who are deaf or
Arrest and Booking communication exists under the circumstances.reasonably determines another effective method of he/she prefers a different auxiliary aid or service or the officer soon
as reasonably practicable, unless the individual indicates that provide a qualified interpreter at the place of arrest or booking as approved procedures to -arresting officer shall
use departmentIf an individual with speech or hearing disabilities is arrested, the
Questions?