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http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/NewsDetails.aspx?nsid=5161&t=1&lid=5
How would you report a crime or get police information if you were deaf or hard of hearing?
After extensive work with the RNID and other deaf and hard of hearing groups, Avon and Somerset Constabulary is a step closer to keeping in touch with the Deaf community.
Throughout the last year the force has been involved in a series of initiatives under the PLOD, (Police Link Officers for the Deaf), banner which has culminated in the launch of a new British Sign Language (BSL) section on the constabulary's website.
The innovative pages give British Sign Language users the chance to view video clips presented by Carolyn Nabarro from Bristol City Council who is herself a BSL user.
The clips tell you how to contact the force, offer answers to a series of frequently asked questions and also how to contact a specialist PLOD officer.
Seven operational members of staff are now qualified to Level One in BSL with a series of exams later this year to progress their skills further.
The new web pages combined with specialist sign language training are aimed at helping the force gain the Louder Than Words charter which is a benchmark for organisations reaching out to the deaf community.
Taunton-based Insp Tim Powell-Gill, who is heading up the PLOD scheme, said: "As a force we believe in working with as many groups in society as possible and the deaf and hard of hearing community are a group which we have may be not communicated well with in the past.
"Before we began this work, many people would ask how someone who uses sign language would be able to communicate with a police officer on the street, without having to call a specialist interpreter which could take hours or days.
"As part of PLOD we have seven officers with the capability to communicate in British Sign Language and communicate with someone who is deaf and hard of hearing. They are also involved with local deaf clubs.
"If we can achieve the Louder Than Words charter we would be one the first forces in the country to be officially recognised for our work with the deaf community."
Avon and Somerset Constabulary Internet and Multimedia Manager Scott Fulton hopes the web pages will be of great benefit to BSL users.
He said: "We are the first force in the country to provide this facility to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
"It is a common misconception that people who are deaf can read English. Many can not and BSL is their primary language
"Our new facility allows BSL users to access information from anywhere on our site without needing to be able to read English to find their way around.
"Every page features the recognised "BSL used here" logo. Clicking on the logo will immediately launch into the sign language video clip and menu page offering content including how to contact the police, working for the police and information about the PLOD scheme.
"We would actively encourage all members of the Deaf community to look at the pages and tell us what they think either through the feedback form or by contacting a PLOD officer."
To find out more about the PLOD scheme and view the new British Sign Language pages, log onto www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/plod or www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/bsl
How would you report a crime or get police information if you were deaf or hard of hearing?
After extensive work with the RNID and other deaf and hard of hearing groups, Avon and Somerset Constabulary is a step closer to keeping in touch with the Deaf community.
Throughout the last year the force has been involved in a series of initiatives under the PLOD, (Police Link Officers for the Deaf), banner which has culminated in the launch of a new British Sign Language (BSL) section on the constabulary's website.
The innovative pages give British Sign Language users the chance to view video clips presented by Carolyn Nabarro from Bristol City Council who is herself a BSL user.
The clips tell you how to contact the force, offer answers to a series of frequently asked questions and also how to contact a specialist PLOD officer.
Seven operational members of staff are now qualified to Level One in BSL with a series of exams later this year to progress their skills further.
The new web pages combined with specialist sign language training are aimed at helping the force gain the Louder Than Words charter which is a benchmark for organisations reaching out to the deaf community.
Taunton-based Insp Tim Powell-Gill, who is heading up the PLOD scheme, said: "As a force we believe in working with as many groups in society as possible and the deaf and hard of hearing community are a group which we have may be not communicated well with in the past.
"Before we began this work, many people would ask how someone who uses sign language would be able to communicate with a police officer on the street, without having to call a specialist interpreter which could take hours or days.
"As part of PLOD we have seven officers with the capability to communicate in British Sign Language and communicate with someone who is deaf and hard of hearing. They are also involved with local deaf clubs.
"If we can achieve the Louder Than Words charter we would be one the first forces in the country to be officially recognised for our work with the deaf community."
Avon and Somerset Constabulary Internet and Multimedia Manager Scott Fulton hopes the web pages will be of great benefit to BSL users.
He said: "We are the first force in the country to provide this facility to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
"It is a common misconception that people who are deaf can read English. Many can not and BSL is their primary language
"Our new facility allows BSL users to access information from anywhere on our site without needing to be able to read English to find their way around.
"Every page features the recognised "BSL used here" logo. Clicking on the logo will immediately launch into the sign language video clip and menu page offering content including how to contact the police, working for the police and information about the PLOD scheme.
"We would actively encourage all members of the Deaf community to look at the pages and tell us what they think either through the feedback form or by contacting a PLOD officer."
To find out more about the PLOD scheme and view the new British Sign Language pages, log onto www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/plod or www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/bsl