PATROL POST ADDS VIDEOPHONE

ELYRIA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Elyria Post is the first post in the state to have a videophone that allows them to better communicate with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. The new videophone number is 1-866-679-3569.

The new videophone allows users to communicate to each other through the use of American Sign Language (ASL), over a live video stream. The service can also be used in conjunction with a Video Relay Service or interpreter who will interpret the ASL into audible communication, and vise-versa, for those who are hearing and/or do not know ASL.

Sgt. March of the Elyria Post was instrumental in bringing the system to the Post. March has been studying ASL during his off duty hours and researched the system before the Post gave it the green light.

March said that if a deaf or hearing-impaired person were on Post they would sit at the videophone and call the 800 number. An interpreter would appear on the screen while a Trooper would be on the phone. The person would sign to the interpreter and they would relay to the Trooper and the responses or questions would be signed back to the person from the interpreter. If a person is under arrest and needs to speak to an Attorney they can do that through the interpreter and without a Trooper in the room. March said that any conversation with an Attorney is strictly confidential and remains that way even with the new system.

The phone can also be used by members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities when they are on post, or if they are arrested and need to make calls. This new technology gives the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities equal access to communication at the post level.

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