LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING

To Better Serve The Deaf Population

There are more than 800,000 deaf or hard of hearing individuals throughout Florida, and thousands living in Orange County. CIL Orlando serves individuals with disabilities throughout seven counties in Central Florida, including Orange County. The need for a better way to communicate with those who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing is paramount to helping reduce crime, as people living with disabilities like hearing loss are twice as likely to be victims of violent crime, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Through an Orange County Safety Grant, the Center for Independent Living (CIL Orlando) is launching an initiative to educate law enforcement and Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing residents throughout Orange County. This includes public service announcements, police training, and rack cards that promote safe communication with law enforcement.

“We want to ensure there is accessibility and positive interactions when individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing are pulled over for a traffic stop,” said CIL Orlando Executive Director Liz Howe “Our hope is that this alleviates some of the communication barriers individuals who have hearing loss face and that there are appropriate accommodations made.”

As part of the new program, CIL Orlando staff will give a presentation to Orlando Police Department on May 29th 10am-11:30am. In addition, CIL has plans to educate the 721 Orange County Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients they and their partner organizations currently serve. CIL will also promote the campaign through ads placed at 17 Lynx Bus Stop Shelters throughout Orange County.