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The Vermont
Driver’s License Safety Sticker Program was established in 1996 to
help improve communication between Vermonters who are deaf or hard
of hearing and police and rescue workers. The Secretary of State has
prepared two stickers which individuals with a hearing loss may
apply to their operator’s license, permit or non–driver
identification card to alert police officers and rescue workers that
they may not understand everything said to them. (See sample at
left) The program is voluntary.
The stickers do not indicate a restriction of any kind; they are for
informational purposes only to facilitate communication. The
Department of Motor Vehicles will not create or keep any record of
participants.
How the program works. Any
Vermonter who is hard of hearing or deaf may affix a brightly
colored sticker with the word "DEAF" or the words "Hard of Hearing –
Speak Clearly" to the upper right hand corner of the back of his or
her operator’s license, permit, or non-driver identification card. A
person who is stopped by a police officer or is in an accident and
requires assistance can present his or her license or identification
with the back showing so the officer or rescue worker easily sees
the sticker. This should help prevent miscommunication and improve
service to the individual who is using the sticker.
Stickers may be obtained directly from the Office of
Secretary of State by calling (802) 828-2363 or faxing a request to
(802) 828-2496. Stickers can also be
obtained by email at
secretary@sec.state.vt.us. The Office of Professional
Regulation will also distribute the stickers through the Offices of
Vocational Rehabilitation, through licensed distributors of hearing
aids, and through audiologists. Some divisions of Department of
Motor Vehicles may also make these stickers available.
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