Vancouver police introduce 'visor cards' to facilitate communication with deaf residents
A new Vancouver Police Department initiative aims to improve communication between police and people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
The department recently equipped all of its patrol vehicles, including motorcycles, with a two-sided visor card that features words and icons officers and members of the public can point to during an interaction.
On one side, the card helps police officers indicate their intentions. The other side helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate with officers.
The cards are a product of collaboration between the VPD and the Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, a B.C.-based nonprofit organization.
“The visor card is a milestone with our local community to improve accessibility and inclusion,” said Christopher T. Sutton, the centre's CEO, in the VPD release.
“When persons with disabilities can participate in all aspects of society, it enriches Canada’s economic and cultural diversity.”
Funding for the project came from a grant from the Vancouver Police Foundation.
Members of the public can pick up their own copies of the visor cards at any of Wavefront's offices in Vancouver.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.