Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
This chapter covers what a Texas peace officer must know about interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with the statute limits that shape each element, at the level of detail the TCOLE tests.
Chapter 38 study guide.
The outline notes that nearly 10 percent of the United States population has some sort of hearing loss, so you will stop drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act they are to be given the same services as everyone else, and may not be excluded or segregated from services. This chapter covers the correct terms, what the ADA requires of your agency, practical ways to communicate at the roadside, when an interpreter is needed, and two Texas tools: the communication impediment notice on a license and the Deaf Driver Awareness plate.
Study the two definitions word for word, then the ADA requirements. For the interpreter objective, work through the four examples until you can say why each one does or does not call for an interpreter.
Jump to an objective6
Deaf and hard of hearing defined
Texas takes its definitions from Section 81.001 of the Human Resources Code. “Deaf” means a hearing status of such severity that an individual must depend on visual methods to communicate. “Hard of hearing” means a hearing status that results in a loss of hearing function and in which the individual relies on residual hearing and may depend on visual methods to communicate. The difference is in the words must and may.
The words also carry cultural meaning. “Deaf” refers to a member of the deaf community or deaf culture. Members are proud to be deaf and feel deafness is a vital part of their identity, as much as ethnicity, gender or religious background. Hard of hearing usually describes people with a mild, moderate or severe hearing loss. They often use speech as their primary mode of communication but may be involved in the deaf community.
“Hearing impaired” is considered highly offensive. It is an outdated way to label everyone with any level of hearing loss, it ignores cultural identity, and it can be read as saying something is wrong with the person that needs to be fixed. Use the specific terms deaf or hard of hearing.
- Deaf
- A hearing status of such severity that an individual must depend on visual methods to communicate.
- Hard of hearing
- A hearing status that results in a loss of hearing function to an individual and in which the individual relies on residual hearing and may depend on visual methods to communicate.
- Human Resources Code Sec. 81.001 · DefinitionsThe source named in the TCOLE outline for the definitions of “deaf” and “hard of hearing” given above.
On the exam A deaf person must depend on visual methods. A hard of hearing person relies on residual hearing and may depend on visual methods.
“Deaf” means a hearing status of such severity that an individual must depend on methods to communicate.
A person who is hard of hearing relies on hearing and may depend on visual methods to communicate.
The outdated label considered highly offensive is “hearing ”.
What the ADA requires and the aids available
The U.S. Department of Justice publishes an ADA guide for law enforcement on communicating with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Under the ADA, a law enforcement agency must provide the communication aids and services needed to communicate effectively, except when a particular aid or service would result in an undue burden or a fundamental change in the nature of the law enforcement services being provided.
The agency must give primary consideration to the aid or service the person asks for. The agency cannot charge the person for it. The agency does not have to provide personally prescribed devices such as hearing aids. When an interpreter is needed, the agency should provide one who can interpret effectively, accurately and impartially. A legal certificate interpreter is the best source.
Different aids suit different situations. Speech with gestures and visual aids works in some cases. A pad and pencil or a word processor lets you exchange written notes. A teletypewriter (TTY, also called TDD) exchanges written messages by telephone, but it is outdated and rarely used. The more current tool is the videophone or video relay service (VRS), sometimes called a video interpreting service (VIS), which lets a deaf or hard of hearing person talk with a hearing person in real time through a sign language interpreter. An assistive listening system or device amplifies sound for a person who is hard of hearing. A sign language interpreter is used with a person who knows sign language.
- TTY or TDD
- A teletypewriter used to exchange written messages by telephone. Outdated and rarely used.
- Video relay service (VRS)
- A video telecommunication service, also known as a video interpreting service (VIS), that lets deaf or hard of hearing people communicate with hearing people in real time through a sign language interpreter.
- Assistive listening device
- A system or device that amplifies sound, used when speaking with a person who is hard of hearing.
On the exam Four points about the agency’s duty: provide effective aids, give primary consideration to the person’s request, do not charge, and no duty to supply hearing aids.
Agencies must give to providing the aid or service requested by the person with the hearing disability.
An agency need not provide an aid that would cause an undue or a fundamental change in the nature of its services.
Interpreters should be able to interpret effectively, accurately, and .
An agency may not the person for the communication aids or services it provides.
Questions on what you just read.
- Question 1 · LO 38.1
A driver has significant hearing loss, uses what hearing she has left, and sometimes depends on lip reading and gestures. Under the Texas definitions, she is best described as:
- Question 2 · LO 38.1
While writing a report about a driver who cannot hear, which wording should an officer avoid?
- Question 3 · LO 38.2
A deaf crime victim asks for a sign language interpreter for her interview. Under the ADA, the agency:
The rest of Chapter 38.
- LO 38.3Practical communication tips3 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 38.4The communication impediment program2 statutes and cases · 3 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 38.5When an interpreter is needed3 fill-in-the-blank
- LO 38.6Deaf Driver Awareness license plates1 authority · 3 fill-in-the-blank
A subscription opens the other 4 objectives in this chapter, with 12 more fill-in-the-blank items and 7 more practice questions, along with the study guide for every other BPOC chapter.
Unlock the full guideLast checked against the Texas statutes in September 2026. This guide is a study aid for the TCOLE licensing exam. It is not legal advice, and your academy’s instruction and your department’s policy come first.
What recruits ask about this chapter.
How does the TCOLE curriculum define terms “Deaf” and “Hard of hearing” as defined by Section 81.001 of the Texas Human Resources Code?
Define the terms “Deaf” and “Hard of hearing” as defined by Section 81.001 of the Texas Human Resources Code. Includes: “Deaf” means a hearing status of such severity that an individual must depend on visual methods to communicate;
What should a Texas peace officer understand about appropriate techniques utilized to interact with drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Instructor Note: The U.S. Department of Justice has published a guide (“Communicating with People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: ADA Guide for Law Enforcement Officers”) on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) relates to law enforcement and their duties.
How does a Texas peace officer identify practical suggestions for more effectively communicating with drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Identify practical suggestions for more effectively communicating with drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Includes: before speaking, get the person’s attention by waving your hand or a gentle tap on the shoulder; face the person while speaking; go to a well-lit area to converse; do not cover your mouth or chew gum;
What should a Texas peace officer understand about communication impediment program?
Discuss the communication impediment program. Includes: transportation Code Chapter 521.125 allows the Texas Department of Public safety to include a notice on a state driver’s license or identification card for persons who indicate they have a health condition that may impede their ability to communicate readily to a law enforcement officer;
Related study guides in Patrol Operation.
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