A group of persons from the Guyana Society for the Deaf on Monday protested the Public Security Ministry, Brickdam, Georgetown, calling for drivers’ licences to be issued for them.
A section of the protestors gathered opposite the Public Security Ministry
They said that the deaf should be given equal privileges as those who can hear and should not be discriminated against, as they held their placards across from the Ministry.
Those persons were represented by Lawrence Hallahan, who interpreted their sign language.
It was explained that they met with the Government some time ago to discuss the issue when they were assured it would have been discussed.
“We came here a few years ago and we had a meeting with him (Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan) and chatted with him and the Minister said okay he is going to make plans but now it’s been like a long time maybe two or three years since that meeting and nothing has changed,” one person said via a Hallahan.
Another protestor argued that the deaf are treated equally in other countries and are allowed to drive but they are being discriminated against in their own country.
Another protestor, who gave his name only as Colin, told Guyana Times that he is aware of persons who are deaf and able to drive right here in Guyana.
In fact, he explained that one of his deaf friends has been driving for a very long time and has never had a single accident.
Ricky, a deaf young man who was born in Guyana said he later moved to Trinidad where he saw other deaf persons driving and he would like the same to be possible in his home country.
According to the protesters, one of the questions that often lingers on the issue is how they will be able to hear emergencies, vehicles and sounds around them. However, according to the protesters, they are capable of driving by using their mirrors to see what is happening around them.
The protesters said that because of how they are being treated, they are forced to use taxis although many of them already have their own vehicles.
They said that they are willing to continue protest action until the Government fulfills their promise to them. Efforts by this newspaper to contact the Public Security Minister for a comment on the issue proved futile.
