OBJECTIVE:
To
evaluate a training workshop for law enforcement as first responders for the
purpose of increasing officers' cultural competency in working with Deaf and
hard-of-hearing people (Deaf/HH) during domestic violence (DV) emergencies.
METHOD:
This
evaluation assesses the efficacy of a 2-hour training workshop for law
enforcement. Thirty-four participants completed questionnaires at pre- and
postintervention to assess participants' (1) satisfaction with training; (2)
skills in responding to Deaf/HH individual(s) in a DV emergency; (3) attitudes
toward the Deaf/HH, including bias recognition, self-assessment of cultural
competency, and perceived self-efficacy; and (4) knowledge of communication.
Focus groups (FGs) were also conducted (n = 6 for FG1, n = 13 for FG2). SPSS
software was used to analyze survey data; principal components analysis was
conducted on the survey instruments.
RESULTS:
There
were significant differences between pre- and post-tests for several targeted
outcomes, including knowledge and perceived self-efficacy. Both survey and FG
results demonstrated that participants gained cultural competency skills as
indicated by changes in attitudes toward the Deaf/HH, both in DV emergencies
and in large-scale emergencies.
CONCLUSION:
Significant
differences were evident between pre and posttest results in terms of knowledge
and perceived self-efficacy. Nonetheless, survey participants demonstrated a
lack of knowledge about policy and the law. Survey findings also suggest that
while a onetime training can improve the perceived self-efficacy of
participants, shifting attitudes about the capabilities of the Deaf/HH may
require different training strategies. FG participants demonstrated a greater
awareness of the complexity of working with this population in a DV emergency.
- 1California State University, East Bay, CA, USA alina.engelman@csueastbay.edu.
- 2University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
