The Town of Amherst (NY) Police Department is piloting Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) through support from Erie County (NY) to pilot the American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter mobile device for all patrols. Niagara University's First Responder Disability Awareness Training program was the catalyst to bring all the organizations together. Western New York Deaf Access Services (WNY DAS) was the main contributor to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing content in FRDAT, and trained in conjunction with FRDAT the entire 154 police officer force. WNY DAS also offers VRI on a national basis. Amherst PD was identified based on their progressive response to law enforcement education and an understanding of the need for this training.

Pictured left to right: Chief John Askey - APD, David Wantuck - WNY DAS Community Engagement Specialist, Pam Kefi - WNY DAS Executive Director, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Commissioner of Police Services James Jancewicz, Frank Cammarata - Erie County Executive Director Office of the Disabled, NU FRDAT Project Director David Whalen