Police Interactions With the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community: Abuse, Audism, and Accessibility.

This article investigates police interactions with members of the D/deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HH) community in the United States, focusing on the intersection of race and disability in the context of police brutality. Through surveys of four Deaf/HH individuals and analysis of twenty anecdotal social media accounts, the research identifies key challenges including communication barriers, misinterpretation of Deaf/HH behaviors by police, fears of police violence, and accessibility issues such as lack of interpreters. The study highlights how ableism, audism (discrimination against Deaf people), and racism compound risks for Deaf/HH individuals, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). It concludes with recommendations for intersectional police training, improved communication methods, accountability, and alternative community-based responses to reduce harm and improve safety for Deaf/HH people during police encounters.