A Sign For Rights

Getting pulled over by the police for traffic violations can be a trying and uncomfortable experience for just about anyone. But imagine if you are deaf or hard-of-hearing and can't hear what police officers are saying to you? The situation could very quickly get out of hand and, in some cases, deadly.

The situation, however, does not have to prove fatal if correct and conscientious measures are taken. In a recent online interview with Dianne Edge, a deaf advocate for deaf drivers, and a member of the Advocacy Support-League, Edge stated, "History of abuses and deaths by misunderstanding between [the] law enforcement and Deaf community is a well established fact." Because of this, Edge has taken steps to help make communication between the two groups significantly more effective and ultimately safer.

Through the implementation of the Visor Card, a card that is carried in the visor of a car and is used by someone who is deaf or hard of haring to alert the officer of their communication barrier, communication between the two groups can more effectively be forged. The card clearly, among other things, states that a qualified interpreter must be provided in order to ensure the quality and integrity of the communication between the deaf individual and the officer. In past circumstances, this has not always been provided, and the results were, in some cases, deadly.

In 1999, in Detroit, a deaf man who was holding a lawn rake over his head in his front yard was shot to death when he failed to respond to the police officers shouts to put the rake down. Although there were neighbors and family informing the officers that the man was deaf, no qualified interpreter was brought to the scene to help communicate with the man. Such examples are imminent proof of the immense need for better communication. Edge's new Visor Card does just that.

Both the citizens and law enforcement of Charles County, Maryland have recently adopted the new Visor Card. When Edge was asked about the need from which the idea for the card arose, she declared, "I created the card to alert others of a simple proactive means to alert others of a communication needÉThe underlying message is one that cannot be deniedÉI am alerting them [law enforcement] that I am well aware of my civil rights under Title II of the ADA."

In fact, this card could help prevent lawsuits and save money. In cities like Houston, Texas, where suits have been filed by the ADA against the Department of Justice for civil rights violations against the deaf, something as simple as a visor card could ultimately spare the life of the deaf individual and the career of the police officer.

However, although the ADA was instituted to enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities, it cannot act as a sole deterrent of civil rights violations. It is up to the public to take the necessary steps to ensure effective communication and correct education of law enforcement so that the deaf community and the justice department work together to ensure the equal treatment of all citizens.
With an overwhelming response to the Visor Card in Charles County, there is hope that other counties and states will join in.

PRESS RELEASE
Charles County Sheriff's Office

Public Information Office
P.O. Box 189 La Plata, MD 20646 (301) 609-6557 Fax: (301) 609-6511
Charles County Crime Solvers: (301) 932-6909 1-800-673-2777

Date: January 9, 2002
Contact: Nicole Kelley
Public Information Officer
Phone: (301) 609-6557
Fax: (301) 609-6511
VISOR CARDS CREATED FOR SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ASSIST
LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN DEALING WITH DEAF COMMUNITY

An estimated 10 percent of the 126,000 people living in Charles County are deaf. And when referring to the "hearing impaired," the number nearly quadruples. Every day, the Deaf community struggles to squash the misconceptions of what it means to be deaf. So often, Deaf people have to make adjustments in their lives to accommodate those individuals who either forget they can't hear or assume they can.

Anyone who experiences hearing loss also experiences obstacles. The most obvious obstacle is communication. American Sign Language (ASL) is utilized by the Deaf Community as the official form of communication. Half of the states in America recognize ASL as a foreign language, and English as a second language among the Deaf. If an interpreter is not available when needed, it's critical that there are other means of effective and clear communication.

The Charles County Sheriff's Office recognizes this need for the safe and correct exchange of information and with assistance from the Advocacy Support League, Southern Maryland Interpreting Service (S.M.I.S.) and Southern Volkswagen of Waldorf, a visor card has been created by Diane Edge, Deaf Advocate for Deaf drivers to present to law enforcement officials when the need arises. The visor card can be stored in the visor of a vehicle and offers tips and information for officers that encounter someone from the Deaf community. The two-sided card can be presented to an officer during traffic stops, accidents or any other situation where communication between law enforcement and the individual is crucial.

One side of the card provides the following tips and information:
Failure to cooperate with verbal commands means I am not hearing you.
I do not read lips.
Nighttime stops using a flashlight in my face will prevent me from seeing any gestures.
Qualified Interpreter(s)* must be provided upon request to ensure effective communication.
*A number for a qualified interpreter is provided at the bottom of the card.

The backside of the card provides the cardholder with tips for using the visor card, which include:

When you are pulled over, immediately place the card in your window so the officer can see it.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel until the officer gives you instructions.
Wait for the officer to approach the vehicle and read the card. Do not attempt to move in any manner that would make the officer think you are looking for a weapon.
If you are not able to understand what is being said through written notes, request an interpreter or another effective means of communication.

Patrol officers with the Sheriff's Office have recently completed a training program
conducted by the Southern Maryland Interpreting Service to familiarize officers with the cards and educate them on what to expect when they encounter a member of the Deaf Community, what the cards look like and how to use the cards, and what options for communication are available.

The CCSO has also made teletypewriter phones available for the Deaf in each one of the District Stations. The State Highway Administration (SHA) has placed signs near each of the Sheriff's Office's District Stations in Waldorf, La Plata and Indian Head directing the public to the availability of the service.

To obtain a visor card or more information about this program, please contact Diane Edge, Deaf Services Coordinator of the Advocacy Support League at Advocacy2002@yahoo.com, Southern Volkswagen at 301 843 1234 (v/tty) email is Southernauto@erols.com, the Southern Maryland Interpreting Service at (301)396-3372 (v/tty) or Nicole Kelley, Charles County Sheriff's Office Public Information Office at 301-609-6557 or at kelleyn@govt.co.charles.md.us.

Editor's Note
As of March 2nd, a second printing of 100,000 cards will be distributed by Volkswagen of America and will be made available throughout the East Coast at any Volkswagen dealership. On the West Coast, the cards are being sponsored for distribution by Wynd Communications. There will also be Spanish versions of the card printed as well.