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 |