Borehamwood
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Text scheme will help deaf people contact police
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| Text alert: Borehamwood PCSO Claire Morris (third from right, standing) helps launch the scheme |
A text messaging service which allows residents who are deaf or have speech impediments to contact police was launched last week.
The system, which has so far proved successful around the country, aims to improve access to police services and has seen staff at Hertfordshire Constabulary's contact centre trained to help residents with disabilities.
Police chiefs took the decision to introduce the texting scheme, in conjunction with National Deaf Awareness Week, following consultation with the Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service and communication workers at Hertfordshire County Council.
Borehamwood PCSO Claire Morris has completed a nationally-recognised qualification and learned to use British Sign Language finger spelling, the Deafblind Manual Alphabet, and the Block Alphabet, in order to communicate with deaf and deafblind people.
Superintendent Rob Henry, head of contact management, said: "Some other forces across the country have already begun using this system and we are keen to make maximum use of technology to ensure everyone has access to our services.
"We have put together information leaflets about this new method of contacting us, which are being distributed via support groups and newly-trained Link Officers for the Deaf and deafblind across the county."
A number of 'meet and greet' sessions were held by the newly-trained officers around the county last week.
Deafness affects an estimated one in seven people in the UK.
To contact PCSO Morris email claire.morris@herts.pnn.police.uk or send a text to 07786 207 091.
2:58pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: chieres on 3:10am Thu 26 Jun 08
That sounds a good idea to deaf people like deaftime.com
That sounds a good idea to deaf people like deaftime.com
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