Your state may have guidance on these signs. Although they can't go below the minimums in the National MUTCD, states can choose to provide additional guidance, stricter requirements, or additional devices by issuing either state manuals (rare) or state supplements.
NYS has Deaf and Blind Child Area signs in its state supplement, which can be downloaded from
"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928
"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust
An even better discussion is found under the Deaf Child Area Sign section of this forum most recently dated 2/25/03. The NCDOT policy states that "the following criteria shall be met: (1) A formal written request from the parent or legal guardian of the child with: (a) Statement from the child's doctor stating the child is severely hearing impaired. (b) Child's date of birth. (2) The child is fourteen years of age or younger. (3) The sign
can be placed following good signing practices without impairing the effectiveness of other signs or traffic control devices in the area. (4) The parent or legal guardian should notify the Department of Transportation when the child reaches the age of fifteen or when the family relocates out of the residence."
All signs installed under this policy and procedure are on an experimental basis."
Well, with my deaf sister, the only thing we needed to get a sign placed was for her to get hit by a truck while playing one day. Aside from needing several stitches and getting lots of bumps and bruises, she was fine.
I doubt my parents threatened to sue, but it wasn't until that incident that the sign went up. I know they requested it beforehand.
So, based on my experience - I would say that if you know there is a deaf child in the area - PUT THE SIGN UP. Pretty simple.
