Culturally Competent Legal Interactions: Understanding Deaf Culture

In legal and law enforcement settings, misconceptions often reduce Deaf culture to mere disability, overlooking its rich language, values, and expressions. Join M. Cody Francisco, BSW, MS, CDI, in this presentation as he equips viewers with strategies for providing culturally sensitive services to the Deaf community. Gain insights into the unique needs of Deaf individuals and the role of Sign Language in legal communication. Learn essential communication etiquette and effective collaboration with deaf clients and interpreters, fostering inclusivity and understanding in legal proceedings.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify common characteristic traits of Deaf & Hard of Hearing individuals including communication modalities
2. Gain a fundamental understanding of Deaf culture
3. Identify resources available for individuals working with Deaf & Hard of Hearing individuals

Presenter:

Cody Francisco serves as the Director of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Department and Director of Proposals at MasterWord in Houston, Texas. With a rich background in deaf advocacy and interpretation, Cody also brings a wealth of expertise to his role as a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI).

His academic journey began at Oklahoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource: Organizational Development. Building upon this foundation, Cody pursued his passion for Deaf Studies and Counseling at the Rochester Institute of Technology, obtaining Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master’s in Multidisciplinary Studies, respectively.

Before joining MasterWord, Cody held pivotal leadership positions within prominent Video Relay Service providers and Interpreting Agencies. He also represented Region IV of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field. Drawing from over two decades of industry experience, Cody has also contributed as an adjunct professor in Interpreter Training Programs across Oklahoma and Texas.

His dedication extends beyond the classroom, as Cody has provided extensive training in legal advocacy, Emergency Management, and Medical Interpreting, fostering effective communication solutions. Recognized for his proficiency, Cody has earned certification as a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID – Certification #49098).