Deaf to picket for right to drive

The Deaf Association of Guyana is to stage a picket on Monday seeking to have Deaf persons approved to legally drive vehicles.

A release from the association yesterday said that at present the Deaf cannot legally drive any motor vehicle or motorcycle in Guyana because the Traffic Department does not permit Deaf persons to take the driving test.

“The Deaf community regards this as a serious infringement of their basic human rights. It restricts their ability to earn a living for themselves and their families and to enjoy the social and financial benefits of being mobile; it is rightly perceived as a glaring and wholly unwarranted act of discrimination against all Deaf persons”, the statement said.

Worldwide there are only a few countries left where Deaf people cannot drive, the statement said.

The association says it has engaged the Ministry of Public Security on

this issue since 2015 (and prior to that the previous administration).

“We understand that it has engaged the attention of cabinet. The Deaf community does not want to wait any longer. They demand Deaf Driving Now!” the statement added.

The protest will be held in front of the Ministry of Public Security, Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown on Monday, February 18 between 11 AM and 1 PM.