Is there any disability people that do this job?

**greg334** · 11-30-2009, 12:08 PM

I just went through physical h*ll with my hearing and there is no way around it. As I had to deal with a specialist after the fact, he was really good about explaining the different issues with the DOT and their hearing requirement.

The one thing that stands out on this thread is not the fact Milwaukee got turned down on SSI but they haven't answered a very important question that Cheri brought up, what has been done so far to address the issue.

If they have a hearing aid or implant, then they do qualify to drive. If they haven't and waited for SSI to cover it, then they are not getting good advice.

The other issue I see is the need to use the phone, ever heard of text messaging? If they pursue finding a carrier who is willing to work with them (READ small carrier) then they could do fine on the road.

I can't understand how the DOT allows wheelchair bound people to drive a truck but make many go through some of the dumbest things to get and stay on the road. Maybe it is me and my fight to stay on the road?

**Jack_Berry** · 11-30-2009, 04:36 PM

do people with disabilities drive was the original title of this thread and yes....

i know a fella with one leg who drives a frtliner automatic. he has a co-driver to do the fueling and push him around in his wheel chair.

**CharlesD** · 11-30-2009, 05:07 PM

When I saw the thread title asking if people with disabilities do this job, two answers came into my head:

1. "Most of the disabled people on the highways are driving cars."

2. "Of course there are disabled people in this business. They're all dispatchers."

In all seriousness, I would talk to each carrier. With a van, things are a little looser, but being able to hear road sounds around might be rather important. I guess it depends on the level of your hearing loss.

**Jefferson3000** · 11-30-2009, 06:16 PM

I must agree on the age thing. It might be a bigger disability than the hearing thing. Insurance wise, you will have a tough time going with a carrier until you are 23, and in some places 25 years old.

**layoutshooter** · 11-30-2009, 06:58 PM

This young man has a big problem to add to his woes. The biggest is that he resides in Monroe, MI. This is where I live and it is very dead job wise.

His age however, is NOT a problem. In fact, it is one of his biggest assests. He is YOUNG!! This recession will end, as they all do, and he has an entire lifetime ahead of him to recover from this. His hearing problem can be overcome. There are plenty of people with similar problems working everywhere all over the country. Assuming normal brain power he has a VERY bright future.

He can even turn his hearing problem into assest if he CHOOSES to do so!!

Anytime a man overcomes a true challenge he becomes a stronger person than he was when he started. Overcoming this will give him a true leg up OVER his competition. HOW? The power that comes from winning.

Good luck to you and read that PM I sent you.

**BillChaffey** · 11-30-2009, 08:51 PM

I would like to know how the person with a missing leg passed his DOT physcial. Mine is coming up soon and the last time they had me do a deep knee bend\squat and with my knees it's a killer. A friend who is in his early 70's and is a long distance Milk hauler say's it was required of him at his physcial this last summer.

**greg334** · 11-30-2009, 09:47 PM

There is something called the Americans with Disabilities act which the court has made decisions that some jobs are accessible to all.

It is the reason my lawn is all torn up and I have new sidewalks connectors to the street with nice red bumpy things at the end with the width that I can drive my truck on. Never mind that the side walk is not ADA complaint but passes code and never mind that not all sidewalk connectors were done, never mind that the road was just dumps on to the existing road way without concern about the problems it may cause.

**Dakota** · 12-01-2009, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by bearcat44

I would like to know how the person with a missing leg passed his DOT physcial. Mine is coming up soon and the last time they had me do a deep knee bend\squat and with my knees it's a killer. A friend who is in his early 70's and is a long distance Milk hauler say's it was required of him at his physcial this last summer.

We have a Police Officer here in Fort Wayne with only one leg. They do just fine!!!

**Jack_Berry** · 12-01-2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by bearcat44

I would like to know how the person with a missing leg passed his DOT physcial. Mine is coming up soon and the last time they had me do a deep knee bend\squat and with my knees it's a killer. A friend who is in his early 70's and is a long distance Milk hauler say's it was required of him at his physcial this last summer.

greg must be correct in the ada. he is with a company out of the cleveland area. thats all i will say.

**BillChaffey** · 12-01-2009, 12:21 PM

I have no doub't he's a good police officer. My question is how does the abiltiy to be able or not be able to do a knee bend\squat affect anyone's ability to drive?. I walk about 3 miles day at least 6 days a week. I have seen drivers in truck stops that are outright obese. I would be willing to bet they can hardly get back to their rig with out stopping for a rest.

**Dakota** · 12-01-2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by bearcat44

I have no doub't he's a good police officer. My question is how does the abiltiy to be able or not be able to do a knee bend\squat affect anyone's ability to drive?. I walk about 3 miles day at least 6 days a week. I have seen drivers in truck stops that are outright obese. I would be willing to bet they can hardly get back to their rig with out stopping for a rest.

Lost leg below the knee, I guess that makes a big difference