| Ever wanted to learn sign language alphabet, but | | | | fantastic idea and one that is well overdue. Deafness |
| somehow never found the strength to dive in at the | | | | is in many ways a hidden disability but meetings like this |
| deep end. Well two British police officers from | | | | are helping bridge the gap". |
| Lancaster in England did just that and for their | | | | I think this is a wonderful example of personal effort |
| dedication and initiative shown to help their local | | | | put in by these two officers to help bridge the gap |
| community were praised for their efforts in May 2008. | | | | between the hearing and the deaf communities. The |
| Sgt Karen Hall, the Northern Division's Equality and | | | | initial feedback is said to have surprised the officers |
| Diversity officer, arranged meetings at Lancaster Deaf | | | | and also shamed them in some respects as they |
| Centre with Police Community Support Officer Laura | | | | discovered there was so much information that they |
| Jolly. Both officers took Level 1 British Sign Language | | | | had previously been neglecting and missing. |
| Alphabet Courses. Their aim was set set up meetings | | | | Deaf people have particular problems and fortunately |
| with the local deaf community so they can voice their | | | | in this small part of the world, now have the |
| concerns one on one and discuss issues and give | | | | opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. They |
| advice on general crime prevention. | | | | also have the new opportunity under a new scheme |
| Linda Spencer, who is community officer for Deafway | | | | to send a Text message for emergency calls. |
| charity which operates the center, stated: "It is a | | | | |