Recommendations for Working with Persons Who Are Deaf
Allow at least double the time for all court-related activities |
Whenever possible, work with professionals familiar with deafness and Deaf Culture |
Use only appropriately certified interpreters. Do not use family members |
Do not use writing to convey or solicit information |
To measure intelligence, rely on nonverbal tests for the best estimate of overall skill |
Use verbal testing to help the court understand how the deaf person may understand court proceedings or communication |
Do not use written personality tests to diagnose mental illness. Use a Clinical Interview and Mental Status Exam and blunt, direct language |
Test basic academic skills and report as grade levels or age equivalencies to assist the court in understanding what the deaf person is likely to understand |
Provide concrete or literal information and questions. Avoid abstract or inferential information |
Ask the deaf person to repeat what was said |
Review information frequently with the deaf person to ensure understanding |
Review phone conversations with the deaf person during the next in-person meeting |
Use the same interpreters whenever possible |
Ask about the etiology of the person’s hearing loss to understand language, social, and cognitive limitations |
Remember that American Sign Language (ASL) is not English. The syntax and grammar are not the same and there is no written form of ASL |
Move proceedings to smaller courtrooms for better acoustics |
Use a sign with the person’s name to call the deaf person to court |
Remove the deaf person’s handcuffs to facilitate use of sign language and gestures |
Take breaks during court proceedings to allow the deaf defendant to ask questions and get clarification about what has happened in court |
Use actual pictures to educate deaf defendants about the participants’ roles in the courtroom |
Provide deaf defendants access to a videophone or similar device |