Pakistani young deaf people defend their right to drive
- Country:
- Pakistan
- Organisations involved:
- The Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD)
The Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) - Synopsis:
-
The provision of driving licences to deaf people has been a contentious issue worldwide. Whilst most countries allow deaf people to drive and have adapted their driving instruction curricula to the needs of deaf people, more than 20 other countries including Pakistan, China and Nepal have not recognised a right to drive for deaf people.
This means that a many deaf people resort to buying licences illegally without forgoing appropriate training thus endangering their safety as well as that of others. Those who do not go onto the black market, rely on the public transport system. However, deaf people in Pakistan have been working hard to change the law in their country...
On 5 June 2006, the Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) organised an awareness-raising seminar on the "right of driving for the deaf" in Karachi.
Mr Zia Awan, chief lawyer for the Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) pointed towards the Pakistani constitution which guarantees equal rights to citizens regardless of disability. Many deaf people argue this is a breach of their human rights and significantly limits their mobility. Participants agreed to organise a petition, in partnership with the PAD and the LHRLA, to be submitted to the government.
Mr. Mansoor Majeed, PAD General Secretary, and Mr. Irfan Mumtaz, PAD President, highlighted the challenges faced by deaf people due to their inability to obtain a driving licence. "We are human beings and have the same responsibilities as non-deaf people. We too marry, we too raise our kids, we too have to go to the office and bring children to and from school. We too have to drive our family members to hospital in case of an emergency. Public transport is not good for families, taxi fares are too high and it is often hard to communicate with taxi drivers".
The seminar also introduced Ms Erum Jahan, a former squash champion who is deaf and currently teaching for the PAD. She suggested similar provisions to those adopted in the US, where deaf drivers are issued with a special number plate to inform fellow motorists of their hearing impairment.
Overall, participants wish to see the government adopt a positive approach towards deafness and disability where issues are framed in terms of abilities towards a greater integration and increased support for deaf people.
After the seminar, 100 deaf participants walked through Karachi. Local officials joined the march in support of the deaf community.Reported by: Muhammad Akram
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