:: Fookem and Bug | Many people think Deaf people should not drive ::

May 6, 2007 in Community, Culture, Deaf, Education, Hard of Hearing, Health

Many people think Deaf people should not drive.

In 1920’s a few states refused to licenese deaf drivers and other states did considering doing the same but deaf drivers won the right to drive in all states. Currently, the major problem seems to be the discrimination deaf drivers face when trying to rent a car or purchase a new car. Some dealers refuse to let them to drive for a test because they feel that deaf drivers are “risky”. Some companies are afraid to hire the deaf people as drivers. United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of them. In October 2006, UPS wanted to ban the deaf drivers but the court rejected it. The case is Bates v. UPS Inc., 04-17295. You can find this information at http://www.hmw.com/workcite/20061025.htm. The American with Disabilities prohibts them to make the discrimination against the deaf people. (Thanks to ADA). The UPS company spokeman Norman Black said they are unhappy about ADA . He said, “UPS strongly disagrees with the court’s ruling and we are evaluating our options, including an appeal. We believe this case is about safety. It has nothing to do with disability or discrimination.” WHAT? What kind of “safety” he was talking about? It’s nonsense at all.

Many people out there are suprised to learn that deaf people can drive. In the fact, the driving is an almost completely visual activity for anyone. How many drivers watch the road with their ears? It’s rarely to hear of any deaf person being turned down for a license solely because they are deaf. In the past the Deaf drivers had some issues with California Driver of Motor Vehicles office at San Diego. When they moved to San Diego and went to DMV office to replace the new licnese. DMV staff told them to take the driving tests because they are deaf. Hearing people didn’t need to take the driving test after they moved to San Diego. It was discrimination.

Some police officers feel that deaf people should not drive. You might want to check this police blog and get some ideas what they are saying about the deaf people:

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48432

 Also, you might want to check Barb Barb DiGi’s story about her Deaf mother’s unhappy experience with a cop. Her story is interesting, please check her blog/vlog at http://deafprogressivism.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-deaf-mom-cop-and-law.html

Not all countries permit deaf people to drive. However, according to statistics from the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), at least 26 countries do not allow deaf citizens to hold a driver’s license. A few years ago in the country of Kenya, it was against the law for any deaf people to drive. One day the government officals were invited to ride with some deaf Swedish individuals who were in Kenya. Deaf Kenyans said ” hey, they drive! Why can’t we?” After the officals experienced a ride with deaf drivers, the Kenyan officals realized that deaf people can drive so they changed the law.

We found the governement documents for you. The governement shows the research that deaf and hard of hearing are safe drivers than non-deaf drivers. Here’s two special government documents :

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/hearing2.pdf

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/hearing4.pdf

Fookem and Bug wish you a safe driving.

 

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