If you reside in the state of Texas, you are now able to get a restriction code directly on your driver license (or State ID) stating you are hard of hearing or deaf. It’s called Communication Impediment with a Peace Officer and it is available to anyone challenged with communication such as Deafness, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Parkinson’s, Mild Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome, Mutism, PTSD and more.
This is the same campaign Aspergers101 initiated over 2 years ago resulting in Texas Legislative changes, however now the campaign is alerting residents statewide of the broader options, notably, the 7% who are hearing impaired. Emma Faye Rudkin, has graciously accepted the role of spokesperson in our statewide Public Service Campaign now airing throughout Texas. Emma is profoundly deaf since an early age illness but has become a major advocate for those who cannot hear. She is the founder of the non-profit organization Aid the Silent, in 2017 became Miss San Antonio and San Antonio Woman of the Year in the SABJ 2018 class of 40 Under 40. Her faith in Jesus is her strength and her passion for others drives her onward. She is inspired and inspires. We at Aspergers101 are grateful for Emma’s participation in the Driving with Autism and other Communication Impediments initiative in alerting others of the new driver license code.
The :30 PSA, as seen below, notifies drivers of the code and how it may save them in a pull-over scenario.
Our interview with Emma Faye Rudkin below:
AS101: Why do you think this new Texas DPS code is a good thing for those who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Emma Faye Rudkin: The new restriction code is crucial as a deaf person. My biggest anxiety while driving is being pulled over and unable to understand the officer. This removes a lot of barriers for deaf people and it is clearer than the old code. Officers need to be notified right away as they look at my license instead of me struggling to explain that I am deaf and need help communicating. The new code makes it obvious for the officer at the beginning to understand I cannot hear his instructions and questions.
I read a horrifying story of a deaf man being killed in Oklahoma by a police officer because of miscommunication and not following his instructions. That could happen to any deaf person if
the officer is not aware they cannot hear him or her. The consequences could be dire and this new restriction code prevents any misunderstanding at the first encounter.
“Not being able to hear ambulance and other emergency sirens doesn’t make deaf drivers unsafe at all. The study found that deaf drivers check their rear view mirrors frequently and can tell immediately if they should pull to the side of the road.” — Weekly World News, Lantaria, FL, April 25, 1995
AS101: What are some of the challenges facing drivers who have a loss of hearing?
Emma Faye Rudkin: It is important for me because I can voice for myself and many people mistake it for a foreign accent although I am profoundly deaf individual. My ability to talk does not mean I can hear anything the officer is saying on a loud freeway. Especially for those of us dependent upon sign language, we need access to an interpreter right away.
AS101: Why did you decide to be the spokes person in the newly released Public Service Announcement?
Emma Faye Rudkin: This is personal for me as I have been pulled over by an officer who mistook my speech for being under the influence and my lip-reading to communicate with my passenger for swerving on the road. It become obvious that I was completely coherent and a capable driver but there were a few minutes of anxiety. I cannot hear on the interstate or loud roads.
I work with deaf teenagers all the time and their families, and this is a constant concern. For my deaf friends, I want to help put them at ease as they drive and live everyday life. I want to eradicate this problem between officers and citizens in communication barriers.
AS101: Tell us about your work in developing and growing Aid the silent
Emma Faye Rudkin: On September 29th, 2018, we will host the 2nd year of Good Vibrations Music & Arts Festival. The event is completely deaf-accessible but this year, my heart is to make it accessible for all people.
This summer I will be taking under 30 deaf high school and middle school student to experience camp. Aid the Silent in the process of many applications for hearing aids, FM systems, classroom equipment and amazing resources for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and teens.
AS101: Any additional thoughts for our readers?
Emma Faye Rudkin: My mission to bring light that businesses and organizations need to start thinking about the smaller groups of people who are left out. I will always fight for the “one” and the unseen so I am thankful to be a part of this advocacy movement for drivers with different needs.
The Texas Governors Committee on People with Disabilties teamed up with Emma Faye Rudkin and Aspergers101 in the Public Service Campaign and offered the following statement on behalf of citizens who are deaf or hearing impaired:
Driving is a privilege that comes with a responsibility to follow the rules of the road. Traffic stops can be stressful for any driver as well as the law enforcement officer during an encounter. In particular, anxiety levels may heighten for drivers who are deaf and concerned about being able to effectively communicate with the officer. Although uniforms and badges may help us to identify our public safety officials, it’s not as easy for law enforcement to identify people who are deaf. We are delighted to see this PSA that makes drivers and law enforcement alike aware of the new voluntary designation on driver’s license for people who are deaf. This new designation should help to alleviate some concerns about communication barriers that may exist between law enforcement and drivers who are deaf.
MORE INFORMATION:
Download the Texas DPS Form for obtaining the restriction code: Communication Impediment with a Peace Officer HERE
Learn more about the “Driving with Autism and other Communication Impediments” initiative HERE
Driving with Autism and Other Communication Impediments is an Aspergers101 Initiative in partnership with Texas DPS and Texas Governors Committee on People with Disabilities
by: Jennifer Allen
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.
Hello this Lewis Earl Thompson I am deaf person from sandjack tx I trying to get my drive license back because I when to Austin to talk to Travis in Austin Texas visit to and hear nothing from Austin Texas no email sand to me and address by my lawn for driving license files they hold for over 25 yrs I did know nothing about my drive license and my money deposited in bank account they out my money in bank thanks
Hello Lewis, for assistance, please contact the Executive Director of the Texas Governors Committee on People with Disabilities. His name is Ron Lucey and his contact info is: (512) 463-5742 and email: ron.lucey@gov.texas.gov . Please tell him you are calling about the Texas Driving with Disability program and that you are needing help in signing up. He is excellent in getting you assistance and oversees this program.
I have significant hearing impairment and severe tinnitus. I cannot hear about a third of the letters in spoken words. Even with hearing aids, I need to look at a persons face to understand them, I watch their lips, eyes, and gestures, but that is not perfect. I use closed captions when I watch television. I rely on family members when in public. I enjoy classical music and songs for which I know the notes or words. The pandemic with masks, and plastic barriers was terrible. Now, add to this not just a stutter but a police officer at night with a high power flashlight shining in your eyes, and you’re alone.
I’ve been told by officers to immediately say that you have hearing difficulties, only drive vehicles with disabled veteran plates when possible, make sure you have disabled veteran on your driver’s license, along with that real ID star, turn your head so they can see the hearing aids, and above all, never sign unless the officer starts signing to you. Keep your hands on the wheel. Signing can get you killed.
Remember, even if the officer is not prejudice against deaf people, the officer is afraid of you if you don’t follow directions correctly.
Yet, I don’t know if I want Hard of Hearing on my Drivers License, just in case the state wants to do a wholesale level of discrimination against deaf / hard of hearing folks. I which case, I will move to some other state and obtain a new license.
hello welcome
Good afternoon Jennifer Allen,
I want to unite the committee to incorporate the ADHOC for our deaf community to make the proposal for the Colorado legislators to ponder our deaf community’s request to have Legal Systems Access for Persons with Hearing Loss (Texas Driver License Now Recognizes Those Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing) into state-wide driver license data base for the law enforcement people to look up to prevent the misunderstandings in the communications whenever the car is pulled up on the shoulder of the road.
I would appreciate all of the informations you used for your state of Texas that was passed not long ago, where I can use to start my process with the goal of becoming a law in the state of Colorado.
In advance, I thank you for your time, attention and energy to reply my email.
Peace, Mark~
I personally know 2 deaf people who drive and personally it scares me. If your article you state the officer mistook your lip reading for swerving. The reality could only be that you were swerving because you were distracted reading lips of your passenger. What happens when your lip reading and a 3 year old runs out in front of you. Please do not mistake this for me being mean or having malicious intentions. But there are real concerns of not being able to hear. Driving is mainly visual yes but mainly by definition is not 100%
Being deaf makes you no less able to drive safely than standing in the garage makes you a Car! Their are still the idiots out there that think they’re the only ones who should be driving and be the Moral and Ideological representation by which all should follow. I was struck by a car as a child because I was deaf and ran into the street. The Driver was a nice man and was Hearing so there’s an example of equality between the cultures!