Do police departments have to arrange for a sign language interpreter every time an officer interacts with a person who is deaf?
No. Police officers are required by the ADA to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Whether a qualified sign language interpreter or other communication aid is required will depend on the nature of the communication and the needs of the requesting individual. For example, some people who are deaf do not use sign language for communication and may need to use a different communication aid or rely on lipreading. In one-on-one communication with an individual who lipreads, an officer should face the individual directly, and should ensure that the communication takes place in a well-lighted area. Examples of other communication aids, called auxiliary aids and services in the ADA, that assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing include the exchange of written notes, telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs) (also called text telephones (TTs) or teletypewriters (TTYs)), telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening systems, and videotex
Related Questions
- Does a city or city assisted program have to arrange for a sign language interpreter every time staff members deal with people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
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- How do I arrange to get a sign language interpreter for a departments event?
