Hearing impaired persons get driver's licenses in Nagorno-Karabakh

The government of Nagorno-Karabakh has passed a statement, according to which people with hearing impairments are allowed to drive a car; earlier it was forbidden.

"Deafness is no longer an obstacle to driving a car. Those willing to get a driver's license should take training at a driving school and pass the required medical examination," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the road police of Karabakh.

Besides, the cars of such persons will carry special large labels to make them visible to other traffic actors.

Bella Grigoryan, chair of the Union of the Deaf of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), said that seven members of the Union already have their driver's licenses. Three of them already drive their cars, and 17 more are eager to get their licenses.

Viktor Slutskiy, a member of the Union, said that as a driver he did not feel himself in any way prejudiced in the roads of Stepanakert. According to his story, if one strictly follows the traffic rules, he or she will have no problems.

Muradyan Nazik, a sign language interpreter, asserts that deaf people have some additional sixth sense, which compensates for the lack of hearing and helps to navigate.