The Deaf may Drive

If all goes well, the hearing impaired in India may soon get driving licences.

If all goes well, the hearing impaired in India may soon get driving licences. Following a petition by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the Delhi High Court is contemplating it. The Motor Vehicles Act prohibits deaf people from obtaining a driver’s licence because they could be a source of danger to the public. “Deaf people all over the world get licences. Only in countries like Japan, where public transport takes people right to their doorsteps, are there no licences. But can we compare our transport system to theirs?” says Arun C Rao, director, Deaf Way Foundation, one of the petitioners. “If a hearing impaired foreigner can drive in India, then why not an Indian national? There are nearly 50 million hearing impaired in India. There should be equal opportunity for everyone,” he adds. The High Court bench is likely to meet next month to discuss the matter.

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Avantika Bhuyan