In the state of Indiana the state has contracted with ABATE of Indiana to provide the skills test for drivers to pass for their MC endorsement. At the same time the basic and advanced riders classes are also provided by abate under the umbrella of the Indiana State Department of Education. Because this is a municipality it falls under the Disabilities act.....

 

Living with a disability is a tough thing for a person. Being born with a disability is tougher yet. And I don't have a problem with trying to ease the burden of these folksthrough reasonable rules and regulations. But the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), like most other federalgovernment-mandated regulations, has taken things to a ridiculous degree. The city I work for has spent a fortune since ADA implementationon wheelchair ramps at street crossings. Every three to five years the specification changes and the ramps that were recently installed become non-compliant. In order to comply with the ADA and keep our city free from frivilous lawsuits we end up tearing out wheelchair ramps and installing new ones that sometimes are only an inch wider or a half-percent different inslope. A never-ending cycle of construction, demolition, and new construction to the tune of $3500 per ramp. And the ramps are only one example ofADA regulation run amok.

I feel society has an obligation to ease the problems for disabled people but, as cold-hearted as it may sound, disabled people need to face the fact that their disability is going tolimit thethings they cando in their lives. I don't believe society has an obligation to accomodate them to the extent their disability is totally neutralized. I read an article several years ago where an advocate group for disabled Americans was demanding wheelchair-accessible trails to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Totally absurd, in my opinion. I'm sorry, but if an individual has lost the use of their legs they just need to face the fact that hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon is something they're never going to accomplish.

Rant over.

 

Without seeing the "Books", I have to wonder just how much of this class cost IS state funded. At $175 a pop, it would seem to self supportiing. Anyway, that aside, it would cause me to be a bit more sympathetic if there were a follow up story saying how she donated the "pain & suffering" booty back to the class. Perhaps more people would be able, therefore, to enroll and save a few injuries and lives which is the purpose of the class.

 

Pete,

I think there's been bit of a misunderstanding. I don't know how much of the class is funded by the state. In the past had said that the class was state funded, but now see that students have to pay $175 to take it. I imagine that since the class is funded by the state in the least bit (by providing the facility) that the Americans with Disabilities Act (not Civilians with Disabilities Act) applies.

Now, do I think that a deaf person riding a motorcycle is wrong? No, I don't. Like I said before, sure they can't hear sirens, but there's also lights to warn them of an emergency vehicle. Sure they can't hear horns, but that's last resort.

Now, do I think that this person should get a Sign Language Interpreter at the school's expense. No, I don't. Riding a motorcycle is a priveledge that if lost will not impact someone's life to the point where they can't sustain their life. It may suck for them, but I don't think we should apply the Americans with Disabilities Act to this particular situation. Like I said before I'm sure she can read lips. I'm also positive that any private school that charges $300-$400 for the MSF course would be more than happy to spend extra time with her to make sure she got access to the lecture the same as any other student.

Mike

 

Thanks for the reply Mike andI agree with youcompletely.

 

You know Rodney I was not going to respond to this thread until I read you response.

Well here goes.

My best friend in school was/is a deaf mute, my sisters husband, my brother in laws mother and father are bothdeaf mutes. I tell you this so you know where I'm coming from.

My best friend, Joe, "The deaf mute",was the Ohio state High School Gymnastic Champion for three years in a row, not only that but he carried a 3.5 GPA through out high school. Joe was offered a full ride to quite a few collages and university's around the country.

Joe took a scholarship to The Ohio State University where he excelled in gymnastics until an injury cut his participation short.

Life after gymnastics was different for my friend, it gave him more time to devote to his studies, Joe graduated with a 4.0 GPA, he went on to graduate school and finely received his Doctorate in Education.

Joe did all of this without the use or need of an interpretor. he relied on his own abilities to excel in sports, school and in life.

My friend was never a burden on the tax payer, Joe paid his own way. By the way, my friend and I both attended a public high school in Columbus, Ohio.

My brother in laws mother and father, they both teach at a school for the deaf and blind in Columbus. nether of them had an interpreter while attending school, and do not use them now. Yes they use closed captioning and other devices for their telephone, but everything else they provide for themselves.

I don't think the people on this forum are putting down anyone because of their disability, I think they are just saying that they don't feel they should pay for someones recreational pursuits. i.e. motorcycle riding.

If you feel tax payers should pay for an interpreter for the motorcycle exam/safety course then maybe you feel tax payers should also pay for an interpreter for sky diving lessons, how about SCCA roar racing, you see where this is going.

I'm very happy for your son, you should be very proud of him, I know I would be. But, theres always that but, I don't think it's my responsibility to help pay his way anymore then any other school kid.

If he needs an interpreter, thats on you, it should be your dime not mine that pays for that.

It's not the tax payers responsibility tolevel the playing field, it's yours.

[quote]ORIGINAL: Rodney1976

Anyone here know some one who is deaf? Let me explain a few things to you. I have a son who was born deaf. He is my pride and joy. He is more open to people then most here. He does not see black, yellow, orange or brown. He does not care if you can hear or not. He driveshis own, car a nice jeep. He worked played football for all his high school years.Lettered in it. He graduated an honer student. You know what? He had an interpreter for all of it. Right now he works at Papa Murphfys and goes to collage and is paying for all of it him self. He just got engaged to a very sweet girl and wewill be proud towelcome herintojoin our family. This girl is going to collage to be an interpreter for the deaf. In the Business and Law side of signing.

My wife taught him how to drive. You know what it is like trying to tell your kid to stop quickly? My daughter signs. My son In-law signs. My grand kids are learning to sign.

I can not believe what I have seen here. How little people can be. This form is getting filled with nothing but bashers. If your not with us your not cool. Will leave me out of your cool.

Just a fact. If state funds are used for schooling or instructions for your kids. The deaf and disabled have the same right to that course. Your kids or wife brother sister Mom or dad are no better then mine. Before you go to throwing rocks at the house you better see who is watching from inside.

A

 

Well said Alias.


[quote]ORIGINAL: Alias

You know Rodney I was not going to respond to this thread until I read you response.

Well here goes.

My best friend in school was/is a deaf mute, my sisters husband, my brother in laws mother and father are bothdeaf mutes. I tell you this so you know where I'm coming from.

My best friend, Joe, "The deaf mute",was the Ohio state High School Gymnastic Champion for three years in a row, not only that but he carried a 3.5 GPA through out high school. Joe was offered a full ride to quite a few collages and university's around the country.

Joe took a scholarship to The Ohio State University where he excelled in gymnastics until an injury cut his participation short.

Life after gymnastics was different for my friend, it gave him more time to devote to his studies, Joe graduated with a 4.0 GPA, he went on to graduate school and finely received his Doctorate in Education.

Joe did all of this without the use or need of an interpretor. he relied on his own abilities to excel in sports, school and in life.

My friend was never a burden on the tax payer, Joe paid his own way. By the way, my friend and I both attended a public high school in Columbus, Ohio.

My brother in laws mother and father, they both teach at a school for the deaf and blind in Columbus. nether of them had an interpreter while attending school, and do not use them now. Yes they use closed captioning and other devices for their telephone, but everything else they provide for themselves.

I don't think the people on this forum are putting down anyone because of their disability, I think they are just saying that they don't feel they should pay for someones recreational pursuits. i.e. motorcycle riding.

If you feel tax payers should pay for an interpreter for the motorcycle exam/safety course then maybe you feel tax payers should also pay for an interpreter for sky diving lessons, how about SCCA roar racing, you see where this is going.

I'm very happy for your son, you should be very proud of him, I know I would be. But, theres always that but, I don't think it's my responsibility to help pay his way anymore then any other school kid.

If he needs an interpreter, thats on you, it should be your dime not mine that pays for that.

It's not the tax payers responsibility tolevel the playing field, it's yours.

[quote]ORIGINAL: Rodney1976

Anyone here know some one who is deaf? Let me explain a few things to you. I have a son who was born deaf. He is my pride and joy. He is more open to people then most here. He does not see black, yellow, orange or brown. He does not care if you can hear or not. He driveshis own, car a nice jeep. He worked played football for all his high school years.Lettered in it. He graduated an honer student. You know what? He had an interpreter for all of it. Right now he works at Papa Murphfys and goes to collage and is paying for all of it him self. He just got engaged to a very sweet girl and wewill be proud towelcome herintojoin our family. This girl is going to collage to be an interpreter for the deaf. In the Business and Law side of signing.

My wife taught him how to drive. You know what it is like trying to tell your kid to stop quickly? My daughter signs. My son In-law signs. My grand kids are learning to sign.

I can not believe what I have seen here. How little people can be. This form is getting filled with nothing but bashers. If your not with us your not cool. Will leave me out of your cool.

Just a fact. If state funds are used for schooling or instructions for your kids. The deaf and disabled have the same right to that course. Your kids or wife brother sister Mom or dad are no better then mine. Before you go to throwing rocks at the house you better see who is watching from inside.

Andyes he is l

 

Mike,

I read your last post and I agree with you 100%.

 

I've got a few more things to say and I know they still won't be popular. One, why would it cost $2300 for one weekend for an interpreter? Is this another form on scamming the public? The MFS class is a total of about 20 hours of class and riding time, that figures over $100 per hour, maybe I need to change my career. My main problem with this is I can't stand people that think the Government owes them everything. Should I be provided with a personal fitness trainer free because I fat? Last year when I sold my Goldwing, the boyfriend of the buyer was handicapped. When he arrived to pickup the bike, he had the attitude that we owed him everything. He complained the whole time we were loading the bike and tried to push me for everything he could get. I know that not all handicapped people are like this guy was, but a few give us all a bad taste for those that complain about everything.

 

Bro, uncalled for. First how do you know it is for recreation? Your assuming that she is not going to use her scoot for primary transportation and if she wasn't, so what? Second, Its a public school funded by the tax payer and the last time I looked Deaf people do pay taxes, right?

If anyone is on a high horse it might be you. I can gurantee you that if you had a deaf child or relative you might have a different view on this subject.