Lesson 8 Deaf Culture:

How the Criminal Justice System Fails the Deaf Community
Huff Post Crime
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lydia-l-callis/post_8582_b_6127898.html
Lydia L. Callis 11/10/2014 


For generations the deaf have not been given fair treatment in issues regarding criminal justice. Because people who are deaf have difficulty communicating with hearing people, the situation can be interpreted completely wrong. The police even though they know their is a deaf person, they may not bring an interpreter. This results in much miscommunication. Deaf people are not treated well and are often charged with a crime they didn't commit. Many deaf people also report that accommodations were not made when they were arrested to allow them to communicate. Police officers are only given 6 hours to learn all the information regarding disabilities.

People like Jason Tozier, were denied interpreters.Maria Dollhopf was also denied an interpreter and had to wait 24 hours without communication. Philip Wolfe, escaped a domestic dispute, he had a friend contact the police and they didn't help because they didn't bring an interpreter, later that night the person threatening him came back and harmed him again. HEARD (Helping to Educate the Rights of the Deaf) is working to help improve these situations.

I am deeply saddened by the injustice shown towards deaf people. And the fact that no one else has tried to help other than HEARD is disappointing. The government should make better accommodations for their disabled people, not just deaf, but anyone with a disability. They should be permitted to use their hands to sign, they should always have an interpreter. These are just the basics! The fact that its so hard to get just the BASICS is ridiculous. This opinion of mine hasn't changed by racing the article, but the article has given me a better perspective on the subject. This article interested me because I have a deaf friend and I want to know how they would treat her.