The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) announced the launch of the communication visor card, a tool to help drivers who are deaf and hard-of-hearing communicate with law enforcement. Originally created by the Wisconsin Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the updated card seeks to help people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing communicate with police officers during a traffic stop or road emergency situation.
“By enhancing the communication between law enforcement officers and state residents who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, the visor cards help us fulfill our mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin,” said State Health Officer Karen McKeown.
The two-sided card allows the individual to indicate whether they are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and provides officers tips on how to communicate with them. The card includes graphics that represent traffic violations and car problems. The driver and law enforcement officer can point to the appropriate items on the card during a traffic stop or road emergency. The cards come with instructions on where to place them in vehicles.
More than 150 instructors who teach at Wisconsin’s 22 law enforcement academies and other law enforcement agencies have been trained on the card, with several additional trainings scheduled for this spring. The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Network, accessed by all law enforcement officers, will also include information about the card.
Individuals can print the card and placement instructions. To order the cards, send an email to [email protected] and include the words “visor card” in the subject line and your full name and address in the email.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
