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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: May 7, 2010  Amends - GO 4.5.1 (January 30, 2009) Number: 4.5.1 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October Reviewing Authority: HRD / Employee and Labor Relations Subject: Effective Communication With The Hearing Impaired This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose To provide a means for proper and effective communication between agency personnel and the hearing impaired. 2. Polic y Law enforcement agencies have a federal mandate to confirm adequate and appropriate communication to hearing impaired persons who have a need to, or who are asked to communicate with these agencies. A qualified sign language interpreter for communicatio n with hearing impaired persons will be provided to those who rely on sign language. The interpreter services will be provided not only to suspects and arrestees, but also to victims, complainants, and witnesses. The agency utilizes the "Center for Indep endent Living ," 720 N. Denning Dr., Winter Park, Florida, 407 -623-1070, and other organizations as resources to provide qualified interpreters. 3. Procedures A. In the event the situation may require judicial proceedings, the interpreter must possess a RI D Legal Skills Certificate. This confirms a timely interpretation of the rights, accompanied with careful explanation and breakdown of every legal term and sign. This procedure may prevent objections to the adequacy of the communication, as well as compl y with the legal requirements. B. Presentation of a printed Advice of Rights form without interpretation will seldom, if ever, be sufficient. Many hearing impaired persons have very limited English language skills and will require an interpreter to verify comprehension of communication. C. When communication with a hearing impaired person is necessary, the employee should make an effort to communicate utilizing writing instruments; i.e., pen, paper, 4.5.1 , Page 2 of 2 etc. D. If written communication is not successful, t he agency representative is required to notify the hearing impaired person of their right to an interpreter. E. If the hearing impaired person requests an interpreter, the supervisor of the employee, must determine if an interpreter is necessary. The sup ervisor's decision to utilize an interpreter would then be the authorization to obtain an interpreter. F. The supervisor would determine, if possible, what type of communication is used by the hearing impaired person; i.e., American Sign Language or Signe d English or if the hearing impaired person speaks another language as their primary language. G. The supervisor would then contact Communications and request an interpreter be contacted. H. Communications would then contact the Coordinator of Hearing Im paired Interpreters at the Center for Independent Living and a qualified interpreter would be sent. In addition, a qualified Spanish interpreter is available, if necessary. I. The interpreter is provided at no cost to the hearing impaired person. J. All agency personnel , when dealing with hearing impaired citizens of Orange County, shall provide an opportunity for individuals with hearing impairments to request auxiliary aids and services of their choice. Communications offers the use of a telecommunic ation device (TDD) - auxiliary aid, offering access to employment opportunity information and other information requests. In addition, hearing impaired persons attending programs and functions sponsored by this agency, such as informational workshops and educational programs, must be provided with a qualified interpreter upon request.