Guidelines for Reasonable Accommodations and Disabilities (GRAD)
Armstrong Injunction Requirements
Mental/ Psychological Disorders
HEARING IMPAIRMENTS AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
There are four main ways of communicating with the hearing impaired.
1) Hearing Aids: these can only amplify sounds but do not fully restore hearing and may be rendered ineffective by background noise or poor acoustics.
2) Lip reading: If an inmate/parolee does not know sign language, a combination of lip reading and written language may be the only way to achieve equally effective communication.
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Lip reading should not be used when the inmate or parolee knows sign language and prefers to sign.
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Communication by lip reading usually is possible with persons who have some residual hearing, who are skilled at lip reading and who have good language comprehension.
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Lip reading should not be relied upon as a sole communication method for complicated concepts, due process settings, and situations where more than one speaker is involved.
3) Written Language is an acceptable means of communication with hearing impaired persons, especially with those who do not sign.
Even deaf persons who have graduated from high school have, on average, only a fourth grade reading level.
4) Sign language: There are a number of sign language systems in use by individuals who use sign language. Individuals who use a particular system may not communicate effectively through an interpreter who uses a different system.
When an interpreter is required, the BPT will provide a qualified interpreter through a professional agency.