It's quite amazing how many people out there are ignorant when it come to issues involving the deaf. I was surfing the internet the other day and came across a particular thread on FreeRepublic.com in relation to a ruling made by the 9th Circuit in California. The judge ruled that the deaf and hard-of-hearing shouldn't be discriminated against by the UPS (United Parcel Services). Apparently people continue to be unaware that there are a large number of deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers out there. Here are some excerpts from the thread.
What these people at FreeRepublic.com don't get is that UPS had no evidence or studies to back their claims that people with hearing loss posed a danger to the public and considered a liability to the company. The people at UPS were unable to prove their claim, that’s their fault. Therefore, they have to give the deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers the opportunity, as long they are capable of being professional truck drivers.
Don't give me that nonsense about the 'Forced Whisper' test given by the Department of Transportation for truck drivers. Trucks are already noisy to start with and a number of truck drivers wear earplugs. Though some of them claim that they are able to drown out the noises and hear the "important" noises. I don't buy that argument at all; it's just an excuse for them to wear the earplugs.
YTK: Many deaf people drive safely, especially with some accomodations to their disability, as the article mentions...That's quite ignorant of Invisible Hand to say such a thing. Not only to mention disparaging. Here's a crude comment made by a member named Capt. Tom.
Invisible Hand: please, can we reason above the jr high level?
Being physically capable of operating a vehicle doesn't qualify one to be a professional operator, any more than being able to swing a bat qualifies one for a profession in baseball.
Capt. Tom: Didn't you hear those police sirens?Capt. Tom must really think he's quite a clever fella. Chances are he don't know a deaf individual with a driver's license.
Didn't you hear those fire engine sirens.
Didn't you hear her screaming not to backup.
Didn't you hear them blowing the horn? etc.
SJSAMPLE: ADA - Full Lawyer Employment Act.ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is incredibly important and protect the people with disabilities from discrimination and more. Yes, some people may abuse it but it's still a great benefit for many. A large percentage of Americans are disabled in one way or more, just google it up and you'll be startled to learn how many are.
Worst law EVER.
Hoodat: "Driving deaf is a serious safety issue."AngrySpud seems to know what s/he is talking about. Thankfully because there were quite a lot of ignorant comments made. It's a pity that people continue to assume such a thing about the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
AngrySpud: You'd think so, but it's not true. I grew up with deaf parents, uncles, cousins, and assorted family friends. On average, they're safer drivers. I suppose their other senses are more acute. My dad drove for 50 years without a single accident, and my mom has been driving for 50+ years with just one accident (as a 4-year-old, I distracted her).
In any case, what's the difference between a deaf driver and a hearing driver who is listening to a loud radio? And finally, you don't see many deaf drivers chatting on cell phones, do ya?
If you wish to read more of the thread, just click here. Just a bit of advice, don't get all emotional and worked up because you aren't going to succeed at changing their minds. Everybody's set in his or her ways, which is really unfortunate. It's a pity that we are continually burdened with the task of educating the public of our deafness and what we're capable of. This isn't the only thread in relation to the deaf drivers that I've came across. There are many more out there on the internet.
On the bright side, we are legally allowed to obtain a driver's license regardless of what opinion one may hold.
