Author: Jerry Higgins
On Dec. 14, members of the Department of Adult Correction staff participated in the "Different, Different, World Simulation" held at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh. The simulation was hosted by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in partnership with the NCDAC Americans with Disabilities Act Offender Services Office.
This experiential event provided NCDAC staff an opportunity to experience the challenges of someone who is deaf/hard of hearing or deaf/blind of the day-to-day obstacles and in turn, provide a better understanding to staff about the challenges some disabled offenders face.
NCDAC program and custody staff participated in 10 simulation stations that included video relay services, experiencing being deaf/blind with blindfolds and ear plugs, hard of hearing, diagnostic center new orientation for an offender, online for low vision and lip reading.
NCDAC staff commented how difficult, awkward feeling and the levels of anxiety they experienced by participating in the various simulation stations.
“NCDAC is very appreciative of our great partnership with the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and look forward to many more events that not only educate and engage our staff but provide resources and information to help them become even more competent in their daily job duties and assist our agency in being compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Sophia Feaster-Lawrence, the NCDAC Americans with Disabilities Act Offender Services Office Program Manager, whose section is overseen by the General Counsel’s office.
“It was a most fantastic day at Wake Technical Community College to have an event that engaged our staff to ‘walk’ in the shoes of someone with disabilities.”