Is there any disability people that do this job?

Milwaukee · Nov 29, 2009

My name is Dan
I have been struggle find job and they won't hiring disability worker.

I been search jobs for 10 months and try apply SSI it denied 5 times.

I talk to my neighbor who work for Panther. He told me I could do that job.

My question would they hiring 20 years old guy with hard of hear and can't talk on phone.

Lawrence · Nov 29, 2009

I would say in general - no. Communicating on the telephone is mandatory - especially when hauling hazardous material.

I will say that there are people in our industry with disabilities that make a go at this...

http://www.expeditersonline.com/tru...ssee_trucker_determined_to_be_top-drawer.html

http://www.expeditersonline.com/trucking/Driver_Lifestyles_3/handicapped-trucker.html

http://www.expeditersonline.com/trucking/Driver_Lifestyles_3/Clayton_s_New_Ride_681.html

Milwaukee · Nov 29, 2009

Not that kind job I look for.

Drive cargo van that you own van and be independent contractor for company.

guido4475 · Nov 29, 2009

Unfortnately,And I feel for you, is that being able to hear clearly and speakcommunicate on the phone are 2 important qualifications for this line of work, not to mention being able to hear sounds while driving such as fire truck, etc.I really dont know what to tell you, but I do wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

danthewolf00 · Nov 29, 2009

you know it really depends on the company. i would try each company's safey dept because they are the ones that are going to say yes or no .

cheri1122 · Nov 29, 2009

Milwaukee: I assume you have already checked on what can be done to correct your hearing impairment, right? You didn't say anything about that, so I'm wondering, is all. If nothing can be done, [or adaptive devices obtained] you will probably not find a carrier willing to sign you on, as the telephone is a vital part of the process for us at times.
How do you handle the telephone problem otherwise?

Humble2drive · Nov 29, 2009

The first step would be to apply for SSDI. If you are approved for that then you have many more options available to you, such as educational and work training programs.
Once you are on SSDI the Government will be motivated to help you find work.

Note: SSDI is for anyone with a qualifying disability while SSI is a supplement for those who have little to no income. SSI is very difficult to qualify for.

Good luck.

fastman_1 · Nov 29, 2009

I'm hard of hearing and wear no hearing aids, but hear well enough to get by, but first your 20 years old, I would say get your feet wet with a local courier service till your 23, and you would have a better shot at expediting

layoutshooter · Nov 29, 2009

Sorry to rain on your parade but part of your D.O.T. physical is a hearing test. It can be done either by a booth test or a spoken test. You are required to pass this hearing test or no medical card. I too am hard of hearing. I will soon reach the point that I will NOT be able to pass that test without hearing aids. When that happens it will be on my medical card as a requirement for driving. When my hearing reaches the point that I cannot pass with the hearing aids, and it will, I will no longer be able to drive.

Hearing loss is often ignored by the government when looking for disability. My loss was caused by my government employment and they STILL refuse to recognize it. The Army does but my army losses are not enough for disability, just the hearing aid and batteries. For the most part they do little good.

Good luck to you, I wish I had an answer to your problem.

LDB · Nov 29, 2009

First, good luck to you. Some questions. Can a TDD be adapted to work with a cell phone? If so, that might suffice for at least some of the smaller companies. Do you lip read? You'd have to be able to communicate with the shippers and consignees. You'd also need to talk to the companies about how much, if any, they use Qualcomm instead of phones. I think the biggie will be at the customer sites though. Again, good luck.

layoutshooter · Nov 29, 2009

Leo, none of that will mater if he can't pass the D.O.T. I could NOT pass it without hearing aids for the TSA and will NOT be able to soon for my CDL. My hearing is most likely going to do my driving career in before sleep apnea or what other bogus stuff that they throw at us next.

LDB · Nov 29, 2009

Yes, I agree but he mentioned a van and I thought some of the small companies might not require it for a van.

layoutshooter · Nov 29, 2009

Maybe in that respect, keep in mind that they might bring cargo vans under D.O.T. soon, logging etc. I don't know what will happen to the license requirements for med cards if they do.

He would be better off looking at work outside of driving.

Humble2drive · Nov 29, 2009

LOS,

My memory could be failing. I thought a CDL was not required for a cargo van. Please correct me if I am wrong. Very possible.

Hearing loss that is not restorable by hearing aid is a qualifier for disability.

A person who is determined to be disabled before the age of 22 can apply under their parent's eligibility.

layoutshooter · Nov 29, 2009

Not if your hearing loss was the result of employment with the Department of Defense. They REFUSE to recognize their responsibility in this matter. I know, I have been fighting it for a VERY long time. At BEST I MIGHT get SSI, no compensation for the loss. At least when I do lose the rest of my hearing I will still have that never ending ringing in my ears. The doctors tell me that it NEVER goes away!!

All you young bucks and does out there had better pay attention to this thread. The POUNDING bass and EXTREME loud music will kill your hearing for GOOD in a VERY short amount of time. I know, you won't listen to an older man, after all what do I know. That is ok, because, if you keep it up, you won't be able to LISTEN to anyone or any thing for very long.

greg334 · Nov 30, 2009

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 · Nov 30, 2009

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 · Nov 30, 2009

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 · Nov 30, 2009

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 · Nov 30, 2009

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.