Are you familiar with your agency’s policy for communicating with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals?

The ADA Guide for Firefighters and EMS Personnel states:

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people who are deaf or hard of hearing are entitled to the same services firefighters & EMS personnel provide to anyone else. They may not be excluded or segregated from services, be denied services, or otherwise be treated differently than other people. Fire houses/stations & ambulance companies must make efforts to ensure that their personnel communicate effectively with people whose disability affects hearing.”

Are you familiar with your agency’s policy for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients? Take our latest poll, and check out this article for more information on interacting with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.