Aiken

There are fresh concerns that the approval of driver's licences for deaf persons would require the retraining of traffic police and examination officers to properly communicate with them.

The Government has taken steps to amend the law to allow deaf persons to obtain a driver's licences.

Junior Labour and Social Security Minister Andrew Gallimore told parliamentarians on July 2 that the Golding administration was determined to grant the deaf community the right to hold permits.

Linton Samuels, a freelance driving instructor at the Swallowfield depot, said while he agrees with the issuing of licences, he believes the lives of the deaf would be at risk from speeding emergency vehicles.

Certain death

"It all depends on their capability and how well they can handle the road," Samuels said. "They can't hear, so they would not be able to react fast enough. It would be certain death."

Superintendent Fred Hibbert, head of the Police Traffic Division, reserved comment on the matter for now, saying he had yet to revise the amendment.

Gloria Goffe, coordinator for the Combined Disabilities Association (CDA) said, "CDA was a chief advocate for the deaf being given licences."

She told The Gleaner during an interview on Friday that there were many deaf persons who were currently driving or had driven for years with no problems.

"There are many other countries that have legalised deaf people being given a driver's licences," the CDA coordinator said.

Goffe supports the rollout of public-awareness campaigns to sensitise citizens on sign language and discourage stigmatisation and ridicule of the deaf community.

Rethink the prohibition

She also urges the authorities to rethink the prohibition of censors, which could assist deaf drivers in safely navigating the roads.

Speaking at the head office of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, last Friday, deaf persons spoke passionately about the need for a reversal in the discrimination against the disabled.

Neville Anthony Aiken, a deaf driver for more than 10 years, backed the move towards regularising the licensing of the deaf, arguing that they are just as competent as hearing drivers.

"We have a right to drive on the road," said Aiken, who said he knew of many deaf Jamaicans who travelled to the United States to get licensed before returning.

Kathe Lyn, a deaf person who has an international driver's licence, said, "I do not want this, I want to stay in Jamaica and change the situation.

"Deaf persons in the US have driver's licences, why can't we?" Lyn lamented.

Marcia Anderson, public relations officer of the JAD, agrees that the public perception of the deaf needs to be reprogrammed.

While the Government has suggested it would provide basic and advanced training in sign language for 25 Transport Authority inspectors, Anderson says more must be done before widespread implementation.

"In future discussions, (policies) will need to be implemented to facilitate the deaf on the roads. Some of these persons are very alert and their peripheral vision is acute," Anderson said.