Miss-Delectable

Don’t get frustrated, I’m deaf - Rochester, NY - MPNnow

About three years ago, a fire truck went speeding through a red light in Buffalo en route to an emergency. The truck hit a vehicle that was passing through the intersection. The deaf couple inside the vehicle never heard the truck coming. Paramedics arrived on scene but were unable to communicate with the couple because they had no idea that the two were deaf.

In a similar incident, police pulled over a man for speeding a couple years ago in Manchester. The man tried to hint to the officer that he was deaf, but the officer did not understand. The officer became frustrated with the man for not cooperating and handcuffed him.

In response to these incidents, Jim O’Donnell of Manchester — who happens to be close friends with all three of these people — came up with an idea.

O’Donnell decided that there needed to be some way for police officers, firefighters and paramedics to know when people in vehicles are deaf. That way, communication problems between the deaf and whoever they might encounter can be limited.

O’Donnell contacted state Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls, about proposing a bill that would give distinctive license plates to the deaf and hearing-impaired. Nozzolio proposed the bill to the Senate.

“The constituent came to us with the proposal. We took a look at it and the senator is working to get it done,” said Matt Devane, Nozzolio’s communications director.

The bill is progressing slowly. Right now, the Senate’s Financial Committee is looking over the measure. Nozzolio also gave the proposal to state Assemblyman Joe Errigo, R-Conesus, who — according to Devane — is doing what he can to get the bill passed.

Devane said the senator likes the idea and is supporting it in the Senate. He said that he is not sure whether or not the bill will pass and did not have a timetable for when that might be.

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Buffalo

I won't like the distinctive license plates because once the thieves, muggers, etc learn of this and will use that to commit crimes against deaf people. I would accept the term deaf on the license or somewhere on the computer screen that the cop would pull up when he is chasing some car but NOT on the plates.

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It isn't that they can't see the solution. It is that they can't see the problem.
- Gilbert Chesterton

jillio

That's a good point, Buffalo.

I, personally, am a big believer in self disclosure. If a deaf person chooses to have it put on their license, I don't have a problem with that, but it should be the deaf individual's decision, not the state's. If they choose not to, it is their decision, as well. Someone's deafness is not the state's business to disclose, it is the individual's to disclose. Being deaf is not a crime. The state should not be able to force you to comply with some registry as if you are on parole or are a sex offender.

Personally, I think a better solution would be for police dpeartments to offer training to their officers regarding how to recognize when someone is deaf and having trouble communicating. Educate the officers, don't stigmatize the deaf.

Matilda

Exactly what I was thinking as I read Missy's thread. No way do I want to be an easy target for troublemakers.

Bebonang

It is frustrating trying to make the hearing professionals understand that we are deaf. There has to be a better solution to the idea of how to tell the them that we are deaf if we could not communicate except to sign or write down on papers. I really thought that the solution is to teach them about our Deaf Culture or how to indentify the Deaf individuals and recognize them. Having a license plate with the Deaf symbol would be a good idea to let them know we are deaf, knowing that it is a problem with criminal who might be taking advantage of us and abuse us. It is not the best solution to the problem. What about putting the symbol Deaf on the driver's license instead of the license plate? I hope this solution might be the right answer to the problem, eh? (hopefully)

Buffalo

Bebo, did you read my post on this? If we drive around with those special plates, the criminal is going to follow one of us and robs just because he knew that the victim is not able to hear behind him. That is dangerous and I don't want any deaf person to be at risk for harm. In my wallet I have a note saying that I am deaf. That is all I am going for.

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It isn't that they can't see the solution. It is that they can't see the problem.
- Gilbert Chesterton

web730

I agree that it needs to be done so it helps police, ambulance, and fire staff to recognize deaf. It seems like it's only way is the symbol or text on the deaf driver license will do but definitely no-no showing it on the license plate. lol

Also the police depts could use something like an alert on their car computer once it's retrieved by the deaf driver license. Not that difficult to improve yet protect the deaf at same time from the public.

jillio

Agreed. Solutions can be found that do not require an advertisement on a license plate.

Bebonang

Well, you did not read my post either. I did make the suggestion about an idea on putting the Deaf symbol on the Driver's License, not license plate. That way when the police officer ask for our driver's license, he/she will look at the card and notice that you are deaf. I know that the license plate is not the solution that I make the comment to say it would be great to have a Deaf symbol but not a good idea because of the criminal who can take advantage of us and abuse us. I am trying to put my wording in wordwise or edgewise to explain an idea. Sorry that you could not understand what I am saying.