The right to drive is not a trivial one—without it, Deaf people are restricted in their ability to work and to access medical, community, and other services. The Deaf community has had to fight for this important right. In the United States in the 1920s, when states were adopting their first motor vehicle laws, several states enacted laws denying Deaf people the right to obtain driver's licenses. By educating hearing people that Deaf drivers posed no threat to public safety, the National Association of the Deaf and its state committees were able to win the repeal of these discriminatory laws. 5 While Deaf people in all 50 U.S. States have the right to drive, they still face discrimination in some aspects of driving. For example, until 2006, UPS refused to hire Deaf drivers because of safety concerns, which a federal court eventually ruled to be unfounded.
6 In addition, some Deaf people have reported being denied the ability to rent or test drive a car. Others find that if they do become involved in an accident, it can be harder to prove they weren’t at fault since many hearing people make the assumption that Deaf people can’t drive safely. Many people wonder how a Deaf person can drive without being able to hear audible cues such as a police siren, an ambulance needing the right of way, or even a honking horn. There are several ways around this problem. First, some Deaf people use electronic devices in their cars that alert them, using a lighted panel, to sounds coming from outside the vehicle. 1 Others simply pay attention to visual cues, such as the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle or cues from other drivers on the road.
For instance, noticing other drivers move to the side of the road is a strong indicator that an emergency vehicle is approaching. Hearing people might also wonder how a Deaf person would communicate with a police officer if pulled over.
In the United States, some Deaf drivers carry state-issued cards to let police officers know that they are Deaf and to suggest ways to communicate, such as by writing in a notebook. Many Deaf people find the cards unnecessary, especially if they’re able to lip read well. 2 “But, ultimately, isn’t it just unsafe if a driver can’t hear what’s happening outside the vehicle? Download Configuration Manager Remote Control Client Viewer. ” Actually, studies show that Deaf drivers are no more likely to be involved in car accidents than hearing drivers. 3 This makes sense since driving is mainly a visual activity. Plus, there’s even some research to suggest that Deaf adults have better peripheral vision than hearing people 4, surely an advantage when driving. In a 2009 report, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) found that out of 93 national Deaf organizations surveyed, 31 indicated that Deaf people are not allowed to obtain a driver’s license in their country.
Access official, secure online government services and information for the State of Texas. Take it online, Texas! Exempts certain veterans with disabilities from fees for obtaining a driver's license or personal ID. Issuance of specialty license plates for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; The Texas Transportation Code authorizes a person to make a voluntary contribution to the Special Olympics Texas fund when registering a.
