Visor Cards Distributed to Police to Help Officers Communicate with Deaf Drivers

In August, the Michigan Division on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing distributed 10,000 visor cards to be used in police cars throughout the state. These cards, which have been endorsed by groups such as the Michigan State Police and Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, help officers communicate more effectively with deaf and hard of hearing civilians.

These cards include “Quick Communication Tips,” including “I may need to communicate through a qualified sign language interpreter” and “A hearing aid or cochlear implant does not allow me to understand everything you say.” They also include pictures of various forms of documentation, traffic violations, and reasons a stranded driver might need help, to help facilitate conversations between law enforcement and deaf and hard of hearing people.

The cards are free to deaf and hard of hearing drivers who request them. You can see the cards here.

Read the full story here.