DMV Placards for Hearing Impaired Drivers
To Protect Hearing Imparied Drivers from Excessive Force from Law Enforcement
Recently a deaf man was killed by a law enforcement officer who did not recognize that the man was only trying to use ASL to communicate with the state trooper. This is not the first time a hearing impaired person has fallen victim because of the lack of knowledge by Law Enforcement Officers. If officers don't have knowledge of ASL, then the placards will be easy to recognize as an alternative. Bright yellow or orange should automatically be recognized to interpret: Driver is Dear/Hearing Impaired. Approach kindly. A form can be submitted signed by an ENT or Audiologist to confirm that the application for special placard is legitimate.
I myself, am hearing impaired. Cannot hear from right ear, so I have to be extra careful. I don't want to be misunderstood if I seem to be misinterpreted as uncooperative because I can't hear 100%.
I realize that the officers are doing a very difficult job...and the media lately only focuses on the negative. However, there are good law enforcement officers out there and we need to realize that we all want to cooperate with one another -- and without incident.
The motto: To Protect and Serve is what everyone needs to remember. Having a special colored placard will help make that easier for everyone.
I myself, am hearing impaired. Cannot hear from right ear, so I have to be extra careful. I don't want to be misunderstood if I seem to be misinterpreted as uncooperative because I can't hear 100%.
I realize that the officers are doing a very difficult job...and the media lately only focuses on the negative. However, there are good law enforcement officers out there and we need to realize that we all want to cooperate with one another -- and without incident.
The motto: To Protect and Serve is what everyone needs to remember. Having a special colored placard will help make that easier for everyone.
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