Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

1-1-2026

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Marcelo Castro

Keywords

communication access; d/deaf community; disability accommodation; interpretative phenomenological analysis; law enforcement

Abstract

Law Enforcement Perceptions on the d/Deaf and Barriers to Successful Interactions: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Margeaux Ann Dyson, 2026: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: d/deaf community, law enforcement, interpretative phenomenological analysis, communication access, disability accommodation Law enforcement officers must provide equitable services to the d/Deaf community while addressing communication, accommodation, legal, and safety concerns. Although research documents barriers experienced by d/Deaf individuals in the criminal justice system, less is known about officers’ perceptions and interactional challenges. Guided by the social or socio-political construction of disability and the cultural context of d/Deafness, this qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study examined the lived experiences of 10 law enforcement officers and their perceptions of the needs and challenges associated with interactions with d/Deaf individuals. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed idiographically and then for convergence and divergence. Intellectus Qualitative supported organization of possible codes and themes; the researcher retained interpretive responsibility by reviewing suggestions against the transcripts. Participants identified communication access, recognition of d/Deafness, individualized accommodation, interpreters, knowledgeable officers, and institutional preparedness as central needs. Challenges included non-visible hearing differences, time and safety pressures, potential misinterpretation of communication behavior as noncompliance, inconsistent d/Deaf-specific training, interpreter access, and limited resources. Officers described adapting communication strategies according to individual circumstances and available resources. They often compensated through personal relationships, informal learning, and situational adaptation and favored experiential, scenario-based, community-engaged instruction over generic online training. Findings reveal a gap between the complexity of law enforcement encounters with d/Deaf individuals and institutional preparation for those encounters. Within this sample, officers’ accounts emphasized the importance of accessible communication, individualized responses, institutional preparedness, and practical learning opportunities. Findings support improved communication procedures, training, policy, interpreter access, and partnerships between law enforcement agencies and d/Deaf communities.

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