Following strong lobby by members of the deaf community, the Government had given a commitment that the hearing impaired would be given the opportunity to obtain a driver's licence.

However, before they could hit the road legally, a signalling device was required.

The Ministry of Transport and Works is moving to relax the regulation to accommodate the hearing impaired.

According to state minister for Labour and Social Security, the transport ministry had agreed that if it could not identify and certify the required device to be affixed to the vehicle of a deaf driver within 30 days, it would amend the regulation by removing the requirement.

"I am pleased to advise deaf and hard of hearing persons that by the end of August 2009, they will be able to drive legally on Jamaican roads," Gallimore said on Tuesday in his presentation to the Sectoral Debate.

At least 25 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Traffic Authority had received basic training in sign language over a one-month period in order to facilitate the deaf.

Meanwhile, the Government has pledged to take legislation dubbed 'The National Disabilities Act' to Parliament before the end of the legislative year in March 2010.

The proposed law is aimed at safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities.