I am completely in the -I have no idea- when it comes to Deafness and Driving.
A blog article was just posted in Italy discussing the fact that an 82 year old Deaf man had a car accident, and they proposed adding an Audiometric Exam to the Driving Test.
Personally, I am not convinced the accident occurred due to deafness. And they could just as well prohibit radio use in cars considering how many hearing drivers blast their radios while driving.
Just out of curiosity, how does it work? Jordan would go to the DMV, take his theory and practical and snap his picture-done deal? Or do you need to write something on the license.
FYI, in Italy, Deaf individuals can buy a car at 4% state tax instead of 20% in Italy, anything like that in the USA?
Thank you for any and all replies...
10 comments:
Wow, that tax reduction shows that Italy accepts Deaf drivers, but I worry about that "audiometric test." That seems to mean there is a standard one must reach or fail to get the license.
In New York, the process is the same as for any other driver: written test, visual test, road test. The license may be stamped "full view mirror" which means a variety of adaptations with mirrors--a convex mirror in the middle, or two side view mirrors, or both. Most other states do not require this. And there is no tax reduction tied to being deaf.
A question on the application asks "do you have a medical disability?" or something close. Deaf drivers should write "no," or else they will be asked to provide a doctor's certification of ability to drive. The question is intended to reveal heart or epilepsy conditions causing loss of consciousness.
In my state, only a vision test is required. Everyone is required to use rear and side mirrors (on both side of the car" if they don't know the proper way to use or checks the mirror, they could easily fail.
the man is 82 years old. Their reaction time is slower at that age. Listening to music, talking or texting on the phone is a distraction. Being deaf does not prevent you from reacting on time nor distract you. In some cases,being deaf make you more alert to your surrounding. Unless they are signing or reading lips to communicate but if someone want to hold it against them as a reason to not allow for them to drive, then hearing people should NOT allow them to ride with them either because they, too, have to look at deaf passengers to communicate.
If a car honked at him, then that when people can blame deaf. but if someone was blasting their radio, they wouldn't hear it either. Other people are concern about sirens, but I believe there are Traffic signal preemption that will help, but most of the time, I see it before I hear it with my hearing devices either HA or CI (it's hard to hear under all those traffic noises, sirens just blend in with them) They are making cars more "noise proof" so these emergency vechicles need to come up a better solution anyhow.
of course, If a person is late-deafened, they may not be used to checking their surrounding often as they have always taken their hearing for granted.
My drivers lic says I have to have hearing aids on, that's only cuz I have one! Silly. Most deaf folks who don't have hearing aids are still able to drive. The guy is what? 82 years old? Blame it on age.
You're right, kids blasts their radios or cd players and can't hear anything but music and are still able to follow the rules of the road.
Sirens, usually deaf folks can tell when they see other drivers slow down and pull over. Me, I look all over cuz I can't tell where the sirens are coming from. I KNOW they're coming, cuz I can hear them getting louder and louder!
audiometric test, ahh, deaf folks in Italy should fight that.
Deaf drivers are safe drivers.
Paula Rosenthal has left a new comment on your post "Driving While
Deaf":
Don't know what happened, had posted a comment that went through and
gave info on GM's Mobility Reimbursement Program, of up to $1,000 to
cover costs to add approved devices to your GM car. I think an
emergency vehicle notification device qualifies. You can also get 2
extra years of OnStar service free. Have to meet eligibility
requirements and fill out the paperwork. http://bit.ly/dOHLzu
Posted by Paula Rosenthal to An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's
Cochlear Implant Story at March 29, 2011 3:57 PM
Paula Rosenthal has left a new comment on your post "Driving While
Deaf":
Imagine my surprise when I just checked my New York State driver's
license and found it marked with an F next to an R. On the back it
says, R: Hearing Aid or Full View Mirror. I'm assuming this has been on
my record since I got my license at 17.
General Motors has a Mobility Reimbursement Program where you can get
up to $1,000 credit toward eligible adaptive mobility equipment on your
car. (I think anemergency vehicle notification device is part of this.)
You will also receive an extra 2 years of On Star services free. For
more info, visit this link: http://bit.ly/dOHLzu
Posted by Paula Rosenthal to An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's
Cochlear Implant Story at March 28, 2011 9:12 PM
Paula,
I fished your comments out of my emails, no idea why they didn't appear- so strange...I'll respond tomorrow, thank you so much for your comments...coming:-)
Jodi
I live in Texas, so I imagine things work differently. I told the woman who was typing in all of the information for my license about my hearing loss, and she said she would add it to the restrictions on the back of my license. However, it was her first day, and she had no clue what she was doing, so there is no mention about hearing (or lack thereof) on my license. I did not mention having hearing loss when I took my driving test either. The lady was intimidating enough, and I was afraid she'd be even worse if she was one of those people that thinks hearing is a requirement for driving!
Dianrez...the tax reduction is an amazing thing..and yes, it definitely shows that Italy not only accepts Deaf drivers, but understands that parents of Deaf children make sacrifices to assist their children. Interesting about "full view mirror".
Anon 1- Thank you for your comment
Anon 2- I agree and the issue of more soundproof cars causes one to question the hearing debate..
Candy- it's all about knowing what you need to do to be careful in regard to your surroundings and potentially discutable areas..and that is why Jordan will not be getting his license to drive a motor scooter..until he is more aware of what he needs to do to drive carefully and responsibly.
Paula, did not know about the added safety devices and thanks for the GM tip...funny about your driver's license...the things we don't even realize.
xoxo
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