Police refused provide.....

Mizzou

Mizzou

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Police didn't provide interpreter for deaf and blind woman

By Miya Shay - miya.shay@abc.com

(8/13/04 - SUGAR LAND, TX) — A deaf and blind woman is accusing the Sugar Land Police Department of breaking the law because it denied her an interpreter. The Sugar Land PD paints a much different picture.

Melissa Zamora was arrested on Wednesday [8/11/04] night after getting in a fight with her mother. But it's what happened during the 18 hours after her arrest that has her family very angry.

You can feel Melissa's fear as she tries to communicate with her stepmother Leslie Zamora, who is very upset over what happened two days ago.

"I'm very angry and saddened at the fact that a deaf and blind person would be treated so inhumanely," Leslie told Eyewitness News.

On Wednesday, Melissa was arrested at her mother's house during a domestic disturbance. But the Zamoras say the Sugar Land police ignored the American's with disabilities act when – despite Melissa being deaf and legally blind -- no interpreter was ever used, leaving her confused and scared.

"Wednesday night, the turmoil, I can't even imagine," said Leslie. "Her words were she thought they were going to kill her."

After she was arrested, Melissa was brought to the hospital. Even then, her family says an interpreter was never offered.

In a statement, the Sugar Land police said, "Melissa Zamora was taken into custody after attacking and biting her mother inside their home. ... She was cleared through medical and mental health evaluation, transported to Fort Bend County Jail."

A police spokesman said over the phone that the arresting officer felt that since Melissa could read lips and write, he didn't need an interpreter. In addition, the department has no concrete policy dealing with deaf suspects, nor interpreters. That's something that surprised an ACLU attorney.

"It's very common that officers come in contact with deaf people, and the fact that they don't have a policy means that they're way behind the times and they need to get a policy," said attorney Randall Kallinen.

For now, the family says they're still trying to figure out how Melissa's arm was injured. Melissa was charged with assault/family violence. She is scheduled to appear in court next month.

We asked the Sugar Land police if their officers receive deaf or disabilities training. A spokesman told us the training officer is out of town.

To view picture and article online, please go to:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/081304_local_blind.html
 
I heard abt that.. I feel so bad for this lady.. sigh!! I hate that happen.
 
A police spokesman said over the phone that the arresting officer felt that since Melissa could read lips and write, he didn't need an interpreter.
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I'm a bit confused here, I thought Melissa is deaf and blind , how can she read what the officer wrote if she is blind?....Something fishy is going on in this story.....

I think the police department should have an interpreter no matter what crime that person did, it's their right to understand what they are being arresting for or what charge was against them.....If I were her I would file a big lawsuit against that police department.... :nana:

I think the police department are making a lame excuse of why they won't get an interpreter for those who needed it...
 
^Angel^ said:
I'm a bit confused here, I thought Melissa is deaf and blind , how can she read what the officer wrote if she is blind?....Something fishy is going on in this story.....

I think the police department should have an interpreter no matter what crime that person did, it's their right to understand what they are being arresting for or what charge was against them.....If I were her I would file a big lawsuit against that police department.... :nana:

I think the police department are making a lame excuse of why they won't get an interpreter for those who needed it...
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Umm hmm you are right, i still wondering why the officer wrote something to this lady and she can't see.. maybe she just have bad usher syod.. *sp?* so who knows?!?! well.. Police has know better about Ada thing, i hate those pigs who give hard time with deafies!
 
people are stupid

don't forget that we live in a world where some people think you must talk loudly to the blind, and that deaf people can't read.

Many people make stupid assumptions, like writing a note to someone who is blind, or calling a deaf man who has asked to be woken up at a hotel.

A deaf man wanted to use the drive through, but always got frustrated when, because he didn't use the speaker, they'd often give him the order of the person behind him.

So one day he sees a sign that says "deaf menu", curious he goes though and after explaining he's deaf is given BRAILLE menus.

People are dumb... be glad it's not contagious.
 
johnesco said:
don't forget that we live in a world where some people think you must talk loudly to the blind, and that deaf people can't read.

Many people make stupid assumptions, like writing a note to someone who is blind, or calling a deaf man who has asked to be woken up at a hotel.

A deaf man wanted to use the drive through, but always got frustrated when, because he didn't use the speaker, they'd often give him the order of the person behind him.

So one day he sees a sign that says "deaf menu", curious he goes though and after explaining he's deaf is given BRAILLE menus.

People are dumb... be glad it's not contagious.
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Me secord with you!
 
What? I am outraged to hear about this....then the one word to answer is S U E!!!!!!!
 
:shock: i am also truly shocked on the behavior of this Sugarland Police Dept!!!! i do agree S U E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
johnesco said:
don't forget that we live in a world where some people think you must talk loudly to the blind, and that deaf people can't read.

Many people make stupid assumptions, like writing a note to someone who is blind, or calling a deaf man who has asked to be woken up at a hotel.

A deaf man wanted to use the drive through, but always got frustrated when, because he didn't use the speaker, they'd often give him the order of the person behind him.

So one day he sees a sign that says "deaf menu", curious he goes though and after explaining he's deaf is given BRAILLE menus.

People are dumb... be glad it's not contagious.
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:laugh2: Funny... but sad! Hehehe!

Yeah, it happens sometimes. There are some hearing peope who don't fully understand the concept of being deaf or blind. I've seen hearing people act shocked when they see that I can talk and drive. They'd say, "You can talk? You can drive? I thought you were deaf?" Heh!
 
oh man!!! i cant believe that!!!! i agree with angel!!!!!! NEED S U E!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
 
VamPyroX said:
:laugh2: Funny... but sad! Hehehe!

Yeah, it happens sometimes. There are some hearing peope who don't fully understand the concept of being deaf or blind. I've seen hearing people act shocked when they see that I can talk and drive. They'd say, "You can talk? You can drive? I thought you were deaf?" Heh!
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yeah its awful...its called I G N O R A N C E big time!!!! :roll:
 
MizzDeaf said:
She was cleared through medical and mental health evaluation, transported to Fort Bend County Jail."
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If she was to be cleared through medical and mental health evaluation, sufficient communication must have transpired or taken place to give the evaluator(s) sufficient reasoning to clear her.

Otherwise she'll still be in the hospital.

Richard Roehm
 
I've seen a similar situation except in this case the person was denied access to a TTD in order to make a phone call from the police station...instead the officer took it on himself to make the call without translating or writing down what was being said over the phone! It may be safe to say that in larger metropolitian areas, they have policies in force in regards to having an interpreter, access to TTD and other available resources that will benefit the Deaf, blind, etc...but for smaller communities...they are wayyyy behind and I'm sure it could be a very traumatic experience if a Deaf/Hoh and Blind were ever to be arrested in any of these smaller communities that lack the expertise to provide available resources for the Deaf/Hoh and the Blind...like ^Angel^ and the others here, I guess the bottom line is to SUE as this may bring about more and more attention across to these smaller communities and start enacting our rights as Deaf/Hoh and Blind! :smash:
 
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