Author: Rosemary Musachio, Chief Strategic Officer at Ruh Global Communications

Communication between the police and individuals with hearing and/or speech impairments is vital.  Miscommunication can cause wrongful arrests or releases, unnecessary agitation or force, or further risk of injury or even death.  For instance, If someone with a hearing impairment is stopped by the police, they may be unable to convey the reason for it while the person may not be able to respond to their questions.

Police departments have handled these situations in different ways.  Some have deaf individuals write down what they want to say.  However, because the syntax of American Sign Language (ASL) is different from that of English, police may have difficulty reading what the deaf person has written.  Other police departments call upon live sign language interpreters to come and assist with communication needs.  Yet, the interpreter may take an hour or longer arriving at the location.

The Cleveland Police has implemented a more reliable solution to communicate with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.  With the help from a portion of a $350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, the department purchased an ipad for each district that includes an ipad video interpreter application called ZVRS.  To communicate with a crime victim, suspect, or witness who is deaf, a police office would launch the ZVRS app to access a live video interpreter who uses ASL.  Cleveland police officers have received training to use the app.

The Houston Police Department also uses Video Remote Interpreters (VRI) to communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.  When a deaf individual visits a police station or division, the police officer dials an interpreter.  Within minutes, the ASL expert would appear on screen.  As the officer talks to the interpreter, the deaf person looks into the monitor to see the interpreter and signs what is being said in real time.  In return, the deaf person comments or answers by signing to the camera, while the interpreter voices what they are signing through the speakers on the monitor and police assistance is provided or a report can be made.  This service can be utilized 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Many other police departments such as the New York Police Department are planning to get similar assistance technology (AT) to improve relations with the deaf community, saving time and improving clarity.  Better communications makes all parties safer and lesser frustrated.

Ruh Global Communications, a global leader with corporate inclusion strategies, accessibility advocacy and corporate inclusion industries, announces today it has named Richard J. Streitz Chief Operating Officer.

As COO, Mr. Streitz will have overall responsibility for the company’s growing domestic and international operations, including strategic business development, implementing global growth strategies, and overseeing the company’s recently expanded services in the North American and European regions. He will focus on continuing to build a strong, client-focused organization, while increasing efficiency across all aspects of operations. In addition, he will have day to day responsibilities over finance, marketing, logistics and information technology.

”This re-alignment strengthens our executive management team and greatly adds to our capacity to implement our growth strategy,” said Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications. “Richard’s proven outstanding leadership and deep knowledge of the industry coupled with his international corporate experience will be instrumental in aligning Ruh Global Communications to meet the present and future needs of the company implementing inclusionary corporate strategies worldwide.”

Ruh Global Communications recently expanded its domestic and international operations as part of its strategic growth plan to accommodate a rapidly growing list of customers exploring corporate inclusionary strategies globally. PRESS RELEASE R. Streitz – COO Ruh Global Communications

“The increasing value of corporate inclusionary strategies properly implemented has made accessibility management an essential component to developing corporate level inclusion strategies that strengthen engagement within their respective communities,” added Ruh. “With Richard leading our global operations, I have full confidence that Ruh Global Communications will continue to be a resource and a trusted strategic partner for larger corporations, institutions and governmental agencies worldwide.”

Richard Streitz first worked together with Debra Ruh in 2011 when he was president of an international resort and entertainment development company. Richard worked with Debra’s group to assist in reviewing the company’s inclusion practices through its worldwide strategic planning, project development, corporate branding and international marketing. Recently, Richard served as consulting executive director of corporate strategies for Ruh Global Communications, where he helped develop macro level planning for their new global client services.

Prior to joining Ruh Global Communications, Mr. Streitz was President of S&S Theme Parks and Resorts S.A., a Costa Rican company focused on creating universal designed living, entertainment and recreational built environments. Richard also worked for the prestigious Walt Disney Imagineering group for over a decade where he was actively involved with supervising the design, fabrication and construction efforts for their attractions, theme parks and resorts in Europe, Asia and the USA. Mr. Streitz has served on the Board of many different companies and non-profit organizations where he enjoys sharing his corporate expertise and international experience for a greater common good.

About Ruh Global Communications: Ruh Global Communications are experts in compliance and ICT Accessibility (CRPD, Section 503, 504, and 508 and ADA). We understand the unique needs of businesses and organizations and how to protect them by reducing risks, while at the same time maximizing value and ROI based on crucial accessibility initiatives. Our goal is to ensure that our clients are aware of and prepared for mounting changes in global and national accessibility and disability guidelines and mandates. We possess the inherent capability of realistically evaluating accessibility and compliance technology, as well as disability employment solutions, from the perspective of the target audience – people with disabilities. Ruh Global Communications is privately held and headquartered in Rockville Virginia.

For more information, visit Ruh Global or call: +1 (804) 986-4500

Press Contact:

Debra Ruh, CEO
Ruh Global Communications
18122 Vontay Rd.
Rockville, VA 23146, USA
(804) 986-4500
Debra@RuhGlobal.com
www.RuhGlobal.com