This presentation will explore strategies to provide education and help raise awareness about the numerous barriers and injustices faced by deaf individuals who are involved with the criminal legal system, including those with learning difficulties and additional communication or linguistic challenges. Discussion will include current research, case studies, updates on civil lawsuits, available resources, access issues, and improvements needed within carceral settings.

Educational Objectives

• Describe the added challenges faced by deaf individuals who also have additional diagnoses
• Discuss examples of how the legal system can fail deaf individuals
• Recommend ways to improve services to deaf people so they avoid or mitigate negative experiences in the criminal legal system