Sign language for the police. Poltava

The "Police for All" initiative was implemented by the Sign Language Interpreters and People with Disabilities "Meest" not-for-profit organization, Poltava Region Patrol Police with the support of the Community Policing Innovation Fund (CPIF) of the Police Training Assistance Project (PTAP), implemented in Ukraine by Agriteam Canada Consulting Ltd with the financial support of the Government of Canada.

The purpose of the initiative was to contribute to ensuring equal access to the justice system for the people with disabilities and increase trust in the police.

Objectives:

  • Raise awareness of police officers about the specifics of interactions with people with disabilities, in particular with those that have hearing and speech impairments;
  • Design information and visual materials;
  • Conduct training sessions with police officers on the basics of Ukrainian sign language;
  • Build trust in the police;
  • Socialization of children with hearing impairments through joint sports events.

Outcomes:

  1. 30 Poltava Patrol Police officers mastered the basics of the Ukrainian sign language.
  2. A video course "Fundamentals of Sign Language for Police Officers" was produced for patrol police officers, who interact with people with hearing impairments.
  3. Increased trust in the police among children with hearing impairments.
  4. Improved socialization of children with hearing impairments through joint sports events.
  5. Prevention of crime in the children's environment.