Evette Bugridge (left) and Kathe Lyn, from Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf, perform a skit during the launch of a sign-language training course to enable the testing and certification of deaf drivers at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, 16 Oxford Road, yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Speaking passionately with her hands, Gloria Young thanked God that calls to put the brakes on plans to issue driver's licences to members of the hearing-impaired community have fallen on deaf ears.

Though she uttered no words, everything Young said was heard. Young was moving the vote of thanks at the launch of a 30-day sign-language training course for selected police officers and personnel from the Island Traffic Authority, where the Government signalled, in a profound voice, that it was not listening to those who have been clamouring for the historic move to be parked.

The course, which will pave the way for the issuing of the licences to deaf drivers, comes after more than 30 years in the trenches fighting for the right to drive.

The deaf community has apparently won the battle, as the course will facilitate the testing and certification of the hearing-impaired.

Significant day

"It is my honoured privilege to be able to give the vote of thanks on behalf of the disability sector, and the deaf community in particular, for this significant day that we have lived," Young signed as somebody interpreted.

"I want to thank God, first, for giving us the strength not to give up the fight and allowing people to stand with us and work to make this day a reality," said Young with her hands.

For years, the issue of whether the deaf should be allowed to go behind a steering wheel has been the subject of intense debate, with some arguing that this could pose a challenge to other motorists.

Yesterday's launch at the Oxford Road office of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) was hailed as a watershed moment for the deaf to be given the right.

In 2005, the regulation was amended to pave the way, but for some four years bureaucracy prevented members of the deaf community from legally sitting in the driver's seat. Not anymore.

The visually impaired Floyd Morris, former senator, was excited to finally see the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel.

"I'm really delighted that this thing has come to full fruition," he said.

"It (has been) years of disappointment on the part of the disabled community and I think that we have come full circle now," he added.

Dearth in leadership

Andrew Gallimore, minister of state in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, said a dearth in leadership hampered the right of deaf persons to drive.

"It is a very important moment in our history," said Gallimore.

The sign-language course is expected to end early next month. Gallimore believes that the first licence to be issued to a deaf person will happen shortly after the completion of the course.

Corporal Bryan Answer, stationed at the Ferry Police Station, is among the initial batch being trained. "Up to Monday, I was not knowledgeable with sign language. Today, I can spell my name with sign language," he said.

The officer believes that members of the deaf community have a right to drive like anybody else.

"I was never discriminatory ... giving them a driver's licence is a welcomed moved. It is the right thing to do," he said.

Asked if he thinks he will have to ticket a deaf driver in the near future, Answer answered in the negative.

"Not at all," he said.