Communicating with People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: ADA Guide for Law Enforcement Officers

Requirements for Effective Communication

The ADA requires that . . .

• Law enforcement agencies must provide the communication aids and services needed to  communicate effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, except when a particular aid or service would result in an undue burden or a fundamental change in the nature of the law enforcement services being provided. 

• Agencies must give primary consideration to providing the aid or service requested by the  person with the hearing disability.

• Agencies cannot charge the person for the communication aids or services provided.

• Agencies do not have to provide personally prescribed devices such as hearing aids.

• When interpreters are needed, agencies must provide interpreters who can interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially.

• Only the head of the agency or his or her designee can make the determination that a particular aid or service would cause an undue burden or a fundamental change in the nature of the law enforcement services being provided.

Your agency’s policy explains how to obtain interpreters or other communication aids and services when needed.