Members of the University of Central Arkansas Police Department are learning sign language to better communicate with the deaf community.
Dr. Jim Thurman and Dr. Byron Ross in the Speech-Language Pathology Department taught nearly a dozen officers functional sign language during classes held recently at the police department.
“The UCA community and the visitors to our campus are a very diverse group and our officers can expect to encounter individuals that may be hearing impaired,” said Arch Jones, Jr., director of organizational & community services at UCA Police Department. “In any situation communication is key and having this skill will help our officers to be more effective in the performance of their duties.”
The resources on the UCA campus are extraordinary, Jones said about the collaboration between the police and the Speech-Language Pathology Department.
“Our Speech-Language Pathology Department is one of the strongest in the state and we are honored to have their expertise available to our officers,” he said.
Visit UCA’s YouTube page to learn more about the sign language class.
