Governor Chris Sununu, State Officials Announce the New Hampshire Deaf or Hard of Hearing Driver Visor Card

Statement

Governor Chris Sununu, the New Hampshire Commission on Deafness and Hearing Loss, and Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn today released the New Hampshire Deaf or Hard of Hearing Driver Visor Card, a tool that facilitates communication and quickly notifies law enforcement and other emergency responders that a driver is deaf or hard of hearing, making interactions safer and easier.

"Any time law enforcement interacts with a citizen, it is critically important that good communication is established," said Governor Chris Sununu. "This new visor card will help deaf and hard of hearing individuals communicate in a helpful, respectful, and streamlined manner with law enforcement, ensuring everyone is safe. This is an incredibly valuable tool."

"Everyone at the Department of Safety wants to make sure all motorists in New Hampshire have a safe and pleasant experience," Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn said. "This visor card will allow law enforcement, other first responders, and deaf or hard of hearing motorists to communicate with one another more clearly and increase safety for everyone on New Hampshire's roads."

"This card will do much to ensure law enforcement and the deaf or hard of hearing motorist will be able to communicate in a helpful and respectful way," said Representative Mark Pearson, chairman of the New Hampshire Commission on Deafness and Hearing Loss. "I am pleased that both the major stakeholders in the deaf or hard of hearing community, and New Hampshire law enforcement agencies are all signed on to this valuable new tool."

While the use of the visor card is optional, any driver with a hearing impairment or who communicates in a language other than English is encouraged to keep the card ready and attached to the vehicle's sun visor for use with emergency responders. Visor cards are being distributed across the state for use by first responders, educators, town offices, and hospitals.

The driver visor card is available today online and will be available across the state in the coming weeks with distributions starting today. Cards can be picked up at locations providing services to deaf or hard of hearing individuals, like the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles; the New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation; audiologists' offices; hearing care dealers; and law enforcement agencies.

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