Miss-Delectable
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Radiojamaica.com... today's news... today | Deaf, Drivers, Have, Programme, Training | Deaf drivers to hit the road - The deaf community in Jamaica is calling on Jam...
The deaf community in Jamaica is calling on Jamaican drivers to be tolerant of them as they prepare to hit the roads as licensed drivers.
They delivered this message as the Ministry of Transport launched the Sign Language Training programme on Wednesday to enable the testing and certification of deaf drivers.
The programme will provide sign language training for 10 Certifying Officers and four Record Clerks from the Island Traffic Authority, along with 10 Police Officers from various divisions.
This is the first in a series of continuous training programmes to enable effective communication with the hearing impaired.
The deaf were all smiles as they signed their appreciation through interpreters and expressed confidence that they were just as qualified to be driving on the country's roads.
Through drama and dance they highlighted the struggles members of their community have had to undergo in proving that they should be licensed to drive.
The Jamaica Association for the Deaf along with Former State Minister in the Ministry of Social Security, Floyd Morris, have been pushing for the amendment of the legislation since 2004 allowing for the start of the training programme.
The legislation was amended last year.
Mr. Morris, whose portfolio responsibilities in the former government included the working with the disabled, expressed elation that the hard work had paid off.
"I am really elated, it's a major step, it is a major accomplishment and it has my wholehearted support because I know that deaf persons have full potential to drive and the sighted and able-bodied community have nothing to worry about because the deaf have a very good track record," said Senator Morris.
He added that he was not concerned for the safety of deaf drivers on the roads as he strongly believes that hearing drivers will be tolerant.
He was also adamant that deaf drivers have impeccable road records.
Corporal Courtney Nugent who is attached to Central Police Station joined Mr. Morris in commending the programme.
"The hearing impaired to me they are in a world by themselves and it is good to learn a language that you can use to communicate with them. They are valuable human beings just like us and I find it very interesting and important," said Corporal Nugent.
Each vehicle will be outfitted with a sticker indicating that the driver is hearing impaired.
The deaf community in Jamaica is calling on Jamaican drivers to be tolerant of them as they prepare to hit the roads as licensed drivers.
They delivered this message as the Ministry of Transport launched the Sign Language Training programme on Wednesday to enable the testing and certification of deaf drivers.
The programme will provide sign language training for 10 Certifying Officers and four Record Clerks from the Island Traffic Authority, along with 10 Police Officers from various divisions.
This is the first in a series of continuous training programmes to enable effective communication with the hearing impaired.
The deaf were all smiles as they signed their appreciation through interpreters and expressed confidence that they were just as qualified to be driving on the country's roads.
Through drama and dance they highlighted the struggles members of their community have had to undergo in proving that they should be licensed to drive.
The Jamaica Association for the Deaf along with Former State Minister in the Ministry of Social Security, Floyd Morris, have been pushing for the amendment of the legislation since 2004 allowing for the start of the training programme.
The legislation was amended last year.
Mr. Morris, whose portfolio responsibilities in the former government included the working with the disabled, expressed elation that the hard work had paid off.
"I am really elated, it's a major step, it is a major accomplishment and it has my wholehearted support because I know that deaf persons have full potential to drive and the sighted and able-bodied community have nothing to worry about because the deaf have a very good track record," said Senator Morris.
He added that he was not concerned for the safety of deaf drivers on the roads as he strongly believes that hearing drivers will be tolerant.
He was also adamant that deaf drivers have impeccable road records.
Corporal Courtney Nugent who is attached to Central Police Station joined Mr. Morris in commending the programme.
"The hearing impaired to me they are in a world by themselves and it is good to learn a language that you can use to communicate with them. They are valuable human beings just like us and I find it very interesting and important," said Corporal Nugent.
Each vehicle will be outfitted with a sticker indicating that the driver is hearing impaired.