Amazing story. Human spirit and determination can overcome about any disability.

I saw a show over the weekend that went into the incredible progress that is being made in prosthetics. From what I was seeing, this entire measure will be moot, for the most part, within a few years.

I think Bart would be the first to tell us, that he would have no interest in government mandates that permanently classify him as "different" from everybody else.

"I think Bart would be the first to tell us, that he would have no interest in government mandates that permanently classify him as "different" from everybody else."

What exactly do you mean by this?

As a person that spent 3 years of my life in a disabled state, I didn't appreciate being considered "different" or "special" or "requiring special attention". Given what Bart has been able to accomplish, despite the fact that he is legally blind, I suspect that he would feel the same.

Make that over 4 years..................I forgot about the second time, when I broke my back.

So you don't think blind people deserve any special consideration?

Not mandated, expensive, forced, special attention. Nope.

Well The American Federation of the Blind, does not agree....

Civil Rights

• Advocacy Resources
• Voting Accessibility
• AFB Comments on Title II & Title III ADA Proposed Rulemaking
• Of Consuming Interest: Titles II & III of the ADA
• ADA Checklist: Health Care Facilities and Service Providers
• ADA Checklist for Hotels and Motels
• ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments
• ADA Title I Employment Key Links
• ADA Title II State & Local Governments Key Links
• ADA Title III Public Accommodations Key Links
• Section 501 and Section 504 Key Links
• Section 504: Legal Foundations of the Right to Accessible Information
• Civil Rights Laws Covering Service Animals
• Civil Rights Laws Covering Transportation Vehicles and Services
• Transportation Issues Key Links

Being such a proponent of laws, rules and mandates that are designed to level the playing field, you must be very excited as of late.

Personally, I think Bart Hickey has done a remarkable job without government interference.

Lets suppose that he's making a decent living, minding his own business, and gets fined out of existence because he doesn't have the funds to install a wheelchair ramp, widen his doors, and make his little restroom handicap compliant...........................that would be fair right? Tough luck Bart.............go home, collect your disability check, shut up and listen to your radio.

Suppose the EPA comes through, finds a little puddle of oil that he missed, fines him out of business and declares him incompetent to run a garage. Totally fair right?

Good news for you bro! We've only seen the tip of the iceberg on new rules and mandates. Non compliance will not be an option. Cheers!

I guess the large gathering of friends and clients that had gathered at Bart's garage, were there because they were mandated by the government to be nice to the blind guy.

I try to be patient with you, in hopes that one day you will see the light.

Did you notice in the video, that Bart said that he has difficulty with the code readers and has to get a friend or helper to assist?

Didn't seem like a huge deal, did it?

Now, if we were to follow the convoluted logic of you and the precious government.......................all code readers should be mandated to be able to be used by the blind, just in case they decide to open a garage.

Does this sound reasonable?

"So you don't think blind people deserve any special consideration?"

Well of course the blind deserve special attention, and they are receiving at least some.

The drive-up ATM I use is captioned with grade 2 Braille.

That's so blind people can be driven up to the drive through, sitting behind the driver...

So how do they know what buttons to press relating to what the screen options say?

Next time you are at the ATM take a look at the screen text and related options and a moment think about it.

While your at it see if your vehicle has brail bumps on any of the controls?

Ford seems to like to have them on the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel!

They just follow the instructions...

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/braille.htm