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Delaware State Police Now Equipped With
Communications Aid
May 2009 - Delaware State Police Patrol Troopers have been issued SPEAK Unlimited Inc., Communication Boards. The communication board was created as a tool to assist Police Officers and Medical Professionals in interacting with any individual for whom clear speech is difficult or impossible.
Target Populations include those with:
Deaf individuals
Non-English Speaking persons
Spoken language disorders
Lost or frightened children
Poor articulation due to cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic injury
Patients with Alzheimer’s or similar syndromes
Autism
Developmental disabilities or mental retardation
How to use the Board
The board was developed as a means to two-way conversation.
To gather information from a person who cannot communicate easily, the officer simply shows the individual the board, points to an appropriate picture and verbally asks the question that fits the icon.
Its important for the Trooper to consider that the individual, although possibly non-verbal, may be able to read, write or use a keyboard to answer questions.
For the individual to communicate a need the professional should place the board directly in front of the person or hand it to him/her. Then direct them to look it over, ask them to point to a selection saying, “What do you want?” The individual may just point without comment or gesture. Troopers need to be alert to this possibility.
Interacting with persons with a communication difficulty can be frustrating, but with your use of the SPEAK Unlimited Inc. Communication Board, such interaction can be easier and more efficient.
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