I’ve spent the last 30 years deep in the deaf community and this conversation does come up now and then because the deaf can feel oppressed at times and I expect most deaf have had the “you shouldn’t even be driving” comment thrown at them.
The problem is, any heightened senses are not going to make much difference, and the deaf have the right to drive like anyone else and would fight for that right should it be threatened. I would fight for their right to drive too, and so at the same time I can’t also say “but you can’t wear headphones” as its a double standard.
Given your experience, I appreciete your perspective. For me I don’t believe it’s a double standard, for the reasons mentioned - deaf individuals have no choice in the matter while hearing people do.
It’s a similar argument to driving with a patch over one eye because you lost your eye, versus driving with a patch over one eye because you enjoy cosplaying as a pirate.
We should all make sensible choices.
And by the way, thank you for participating in this discussion with civility.
I’ve spent the last 30 years deep in the deaf community and this conversation does come up now and then because the deaf can feel oppressed at times and I expect most deaf have had the “you shouldn’t even be driving” comment thrown at them.
The problem is, any heightened senses are not going to make much difference, and the deaf have the right to drive like anyone else and would fight for that right should it be threatened. I would fight for their right to drive too, and so at the same time I can’t also say “but you can’t wear headphones” as its a double standard.
Given your experience, I appreciete your perspective. For me I don’t believe it’s a double standard, for the reasons mentioned - deaf individuals have no choice in the matter while hearing people do.
It’s a similar argument to driving with a patch over one eye because you lost your eye, versus driving with a patch over one eye because you enjoy cosplaying as a pirate.
We should all make sensible choices.
And by the way, thank you for participating in this discussion with civility.