42 Questions
What percentage of the US population has some form of hearing loss?
Nearly 10%
Which term is considered highly offensive when referring to someone with hearing difficulties?
Hearing impaired
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using an oral interpreter when communicating with someone who is deaf?
It ensures that all spoken words are accurately understood.
Which of the following sign languages is commonly used in the United States?
American Sign Language (ASL)
Which country played a significant role in the development of early schools for the deaf?
France
What is the policy at the Texas School for the Deaf regarding interpreters?
There will always be a certified interpreter available to assist with questions.
What is the starting decibel range for severe deafness?
66 decibels
At what decibel range does mild hard of hearing start?
26-45 decibels
What assists a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing to sense sound?
Cochlear implant
What is the purpose of the National Interpreter Certification Interview and Performance Exam?
To assess interpreting skills
According to the ADA, what should law enforcement agencies provide to effectively communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Primary consideration for aid requested by the person
What is included on a state driver’s license or ID card for individuals with health conditions that may impede communication with law enforcement?
'Communication Impediment' notice
When must officers apply handcuffs to the front for arrested persons who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Only if requested by the arrested person
'Deaf Driver Awareness' license plate name appears in which database during a traffic stop?
'TxDMV Motor Vehicle' database
What procedure should be followed for limited English and deaf subjects when reading the Miranda warning?
Read in primary language if known
What is the legal certificate interpreter's role?
Serve as a reliable resource for information
What is the proper way to position an overdose victim before administering Narcan?
Recovery position (either left or right side)
If there is no reaction after the first dose of Narcan, what should be done?
Administer a second dose if available
How should a used Narcan dose be handled?
Place it back in the original packaging with the PCO barcode, put in an evidence bag labeled "Used", and return to PCO
When should officers request Narcan from PCO or a lieutenant?
At the beginning of each shift
What should be done with a damaged Narcan dose?
Place it with the original packaging in a bag labeled "Damaged" and return it to PCO
Who is responsible for monitoring the use and disposal of Narcan doses?
The APD Risk Management Lieutenant
When should an interpreter or other service be provided for written communication?
If the officer is unable to communicate effectively through writing
In the case of a minor offense, what should an officer do if an interpreter or other service is not available in a reasonable period of time?
Document the investigation as completely as possible for later follow-up
When should an officer stop an interrogation and wait for an interpreter or other service to be present or available?
If written communication becomes ineffective
In the case of a serious offense, if an interpreter or other service is not available in a reasonable period of time, what should a supervisor decide?
To call in an investigator to wait for an interpreter or other service
When should an officer secure an interpreter or other service before any interrogation?
If the officer cannot inform the arrestee of the Miranda warnings without an interpreter or other service
What should an officer do if exigent circumstances do not allow a delay in the interrogation of an arrestee who is deaf or hard of hearing, and an interpreter or other service cannot respond within a reasonable period?
Proceed with the interrogation only if certain conditions are met
Under what circumstances can an officer proceed with an interview of a victim or critical witness who is deaf or hard of hearing using written communication?
If the officer can communicate effectively in writing with the person
What should an officer do if an arrestee requests the opportunity to communicate through an interpreter or other service before arrest?
Transport the arrestee to the Central Booking facility
When should the Language Interpreter Service not be used?
All of the above
How should an officer obtain an interpreter from the Language Interpreter Service?
Request the APD Communications supervisor to notify the interpreter service
What should an officer do when a victim or critical witness is deaf or hard of hearing?
Request an interpreter or other service and wait for them to arrive before continuing the investigation
How should an officer assess a victim's responsiveness?
By checking if they respond to verbal prompts, pain stimuli, or are unresponsive
What should be done for a thermal burn?
Stop the burning process, cool the burn, and cover it
What is the first step in treating shock?
Ensure an open airway, breathing, and circulation
How should an officer assist in childbirth?
Help the mother deliver the baby and afterbirth
What should an officer do if they encounter an unconscious diabetic patient?
Place the patient in the recovery position and avoid giving food or liquids
What is the purpose of Narcan (naloxone)?
To reverse the effects of opioid overdoses
What should an officer do before administering Narcan?
Ensure scene safety and use universal precautions
Where should Narcan kits be stored?
In a climate-controlled environment, away from light
What should an officer do if they encounter a seizing victim?
Monitor the duration of the seizure and call for medical assistance if it lasts more than 5 minutes
Study Notes
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
- Approximately 20% of the state's deaf population lives in the Austin area.
- Hard of hearing: defective but functional sense of hearing, starts at 26 decibels.
- Mild hard of hearing: difficulty understanding speech, 26-45 decibels.
- Moderate hearing loss: 46-65 decibels, more difficulty with hearing speech.
- Deaf: lacking or deficient in sense of hearing, 66 decibels and above.
- Profound deafness: above 85 decibels, may require a cochlear implant.
- Cochlear implant: a small electronic device that helps provide a sense of sound.
National Interpreter Certification Process
- Begins with a Multiple-choice NIC Knowledge Exam.
- Candidates must be 18 years old and meet educational requirements.
- Can take the NIC Interview and Performance Exam within 5 years of passing.
Interpreting Services
- APD has a contract with an on-call agency for interpreting services.
- Interpreters arrive on scene within 45 minutes.
- Contracted with "Communication by Hand" company.
ADA Requirements
- Law enforcement agencies must provide communication aids and services.
- Primary consideration to the aid or service requested by the individual.
- Agencies cannot charge the individual for the aids or services.
- Do not have to provide personally prescribed devices like hearing aids.
Communicating with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Individuals
- Use an interpreter or other service if written communication is ineffective.
- Interpreters should be provided for deaf or hard of hearing individuals.
- Should provide interpreters who can interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially.
Texas Law Enforcement
- Texas Trans Code §521.125 allows a notice on a state driver's license or ID for individuals with a health condition that may impede communication.
- Requires a written statement from a physician and presentation at the driver's license office.
- "Deaf Driver Awareness" license plate is available in the TxDMV's motor vehicle database.
Arrest and Interrogation Procedures
- Restraint: apply handcuffs to the front for deaf or hard of hearing individuals who request to use their hands to communicate.
- Procedures for limited English and deaf subjects: use a certified interpreter, translate aloud, and have witnesses present.
- Sign language statements and confessions must be recorded by video.
Interpreter Services
- Immediate language interpretation services available 24 hours a day by phone.
- Not to be used for Spanish-speaking persons, long interrogations, or when other means are available.
- To obtain an interpreter, request the APD Communications supervisor, provide the agency identification number, and explain the need.
Emergency Medical Assistance
- Responsiveness: ALERT, VERBAL, PAIN, UNRESPONSIVE.
- BATH: Bleeding, Airway, Tension Pneumothorax, Hypothermia.
- Hemostatic dressing: treated with clot-formation substance.
- Treating thermal burns: STOP, COOL, COVER.
- Shock: a perfusion problem, treat with ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
- Rescue breathing: tilt head back, pinch nose shut, give two slow breaths.
Diabetic Emergencies
- ALOC: Agitated, Aggressive, Combative, Diabetic patient.
- Treat conscious diabetic patients with sugar, glucose, or juice.
- Treat unconscious diabetic patients by placing them in the recovery position.
Childbirth
- First responder's job is to assist the mother in delivery.
- Normal stages of childbirth: contractions, crowning, and afterbirth.
- Signs of imminent childbirth: time between contractions is 2-5 minutes apart.
Narcan Administration
- Officers must be trained prior to use and deployment.
- Heroin: an opioid drug synthesized from morphine.
- Opioids: reduce pain intensity, affect brain areas controlling emotion.
- Universal precautions: use nitrile, latex, or equivalent gloves.
- Scene safety: officer's first priority.
- Narcan can be administered to a police K9 that has accidentally inhaled an opioid.
Officer Responsibilities
- Officers who have received training shall request Narcan through PCO or an on-duty lieutenant.
- Return Narcan at the end of shift.
- Incident report shall be submitted detailing the nature of the incident.
APD Risk Management Responsibilities
- Verify that individuals having access to Narcan receive training on overdose response and administration.
- Monitor all doses that have been damaged or used and provide a summary report upon request.
Learn about the different types of hearing loss, including Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing Impaired, and the communication methods individuals use for each. Explore how individuals with varying levels of hearing loss rely on visual cues and residual hearing to communicate effectively.
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