[flutters]

"Each deaf person has to be assessed individually to make a determination, just like a hearing person, as to whether they can safely drive a UPS truck," he added. "That's all we ever asked."

I completely agree. They are deaf, not blind -- two totally different disabilities. A deaf person can operate a vehicle just fine and probably more observant of their surroundings than the hearing.

[scan59]

It's against the law in most (all?) states to drive wearing headphones. Wonder what the reasoning is behind that?

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "A deaf person can operate a vehicle just fine and probably more observant of their surroundings than the hearing."

That's absolutely right. The deaf person has a highly tuned ability for "seeing". I don't mean that they actually see any better (physically) -- but rather -- that they *pay attention* better than the hearing person does. The hearing person will rely upon their sense of hearing to the detriment of their sight (at least to the extent that the deaf person uses it).

Regards,
Star Traveler