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Ruiz failed a hearing test in 2006 because he was not allowed to wear his hearing aids.
Ironically, the federal government scolded the Honolulu Police Department because it was requiring everyone with hearing aids to pass a hearing test without the aids, according to Victoria attorney John Griffin, who is representing Ruiz. And the federal government reprimanded the sheriff’s department in Cobb County, Ga., for the same reason.
Griffin said hearing tests should be done on an individual basis.
An employer not hiring those who cannot hear well enough with a hearing aid is one thing, but banning hearing aids across the board violates the law, especially those who can hear better with hearing aids, as is the case with Ruiz.
Yet an about-face by the federal government resulted in the firing of Ruiz here in Victoria County.
Griffin said federal courtrooms are exactly the place where a hearing aid would be advantageous. “It’s more important to hear soft sounds — whispers, alarms and other sounds” that would alert the officer to make the situation safer if need be.
Ruiz meanwhile wants the standard to be changed to adhere to the federal law.
And he wants his job back.
We agree.
Ruiz should have his job back, and the illegal standard should be changed to comply with the ADA.
This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate’s editorial board.