Devon Deaf Academy students train police officers

For police to understand more about deaf people

A group of Deaf students from Devon is pioneering a national training initiative to help police officers across the UK communicate more effectively with the Deaf community.

From highlighting the impact of arresting a Deaf individual - where the use of handcuffs removes their ability to use British Sign Language (BSL) - to teaching essential phrases, the students have created an educational video that will be used in police training across the country.

British Sign Language Awareness Week, begins on Monday 17 March, which is an annual celebration of British Sign Language and the Deaf community, held to coincide with the recognition of BSL as an official language in the UK and to promote awareness, education, and inclusivity by encouraging individuals and organisations to learn and use BSL.

The innovative project has been led by post-19 students at the Exmouth-based Deaf Academy, who have worked to produce the powerful resource which is aimed at improving interactions between police officers, support staff and Deaf individuals.

The training sessions are designed to break down barriers, ensuring that officers better understand the needs and capabilities of Deaf people while fostering stronger connections between Deaf and hearing communities.

Mark Stocks, Partnership and Community Manager at the Deaf Academy, said: “This project has been led by our Academy’s Deaf Awareness Group who are passionate about helping the wider public to understand the culture and language of the Deaf community.
 
“The project is hugely beneficial to our students, helping them to develop their own communication skills, growing their understanding of the world, promote independence, build confidence and provide essential work experience.”
 
Deaf Academy student Amy, who took part in the training, said: “It will be helpful for the police to be more aware of Deaf people and the way they communicate whether they are being questioned in an interview, a victim of crime, asked questions at a roadside check or being arrested.  It is important that the police are aware that they don't take a Deaf person's rights away, for example if they handcuff a Deaf person.
 
I learnt from delivering this training that it doesn't matter who the audience is; the most important thing is to share with people how they can be Deaf aware and how best to communicate with a Deaf person. Then hopefully they can share this information more widely within their organisations.”
 

The Deaf Academy is a unique provision in the UK, offering a specialist curriculum, teaching, support and care to Deaf young people, the majority of whom have accompanying additional needs.