Fairfield Police Officers Learn Sign Language From Ludlowe Students

FAIRFIELD, CT — Students from Fairfield Ludlowe High School's American Sign Language Club Wednesday instructed officers from the Fairfield Police Department in some of the basics of sign language to help the officers interact with members of the community who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Wednesday's effort was a student-led initiative where the students showed the officers the alphabet in sign language, some common phrases, numbers and other signs, such as "pain," "hospital," "show me where," and "emergency."

According to Fairfield Police Sgt. Jenna Wellington, in 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fairfield officers noted in their reports that they interacted with a deaf individual once per year.

"This does not include interactions such as traffic stops or police interactions that don’t require a police report," Wellington told Patch. "So anecdotally, the number is small but not zero."

Student Rhet Sealfon, a sophomore, said that when putting together the presentation for the officers, the students made sure to include phrases that could be used during traffic stops and emergency medical situations.

Added student Keira Esposito, a senior, when a deaf person goes to the police department, they can use a note pad or a cell phone to communicate.

"But in an emergency, that's not really an option, especially if the person is hurt and needs immediate attention," Esposito said. "So, in those situations, it's very important for officers to know how to help."

The club's faculty adviser, Liza Alers, who is hearing impaired, also shared some insight about the deaf and hearing impaired community. Alers did not speak during the presentation, but relied on a member of CoSign CT to translate.

"Eye contact is critical when communicating with a deaf person," Alers said. "As soon as you look away, the deaf person will become frustrated, because they instantly have a gap in communication, and they'll feel as if you're not really engaging with them."