Why do people take the P**S if you're deaf?

I had finished work and was looking forward to getting home, having a nice hot cup of tea and watching the Simpson’s, I just love that show, the only way, in my opinion, to unwind after a hard days graft.  Anyway, I got to the bus stop just before the bus arrived and managed to get my privilege bus pass out of my bag as the bus pulled up.  The driver opened the doors and said “don’t bother with your passes and tickets, just get on and sit down”.  I thought this was a bit odd but I got on and sat down, I was putting my bus pass away when I heard the driver talking and made out the words did you not hear me, something, and something else, just sit down.  Hmm I said to myself, someone is in a mighty hurry, I wonder if he is running late and how will he explain a shortage of money seeing no one is paying either?

The bus took off at a bit of a pace; I jerked in my seat and grabbed the hand rail for safety.  Then as the bus rounded the corner a black woman got up and rang the bell to get off.  The driver shot past the bus stop and the woman said something to him.  The traffic lights were on red and when he stopped the bus he let her get off, they exchanged words but I have no idea what was said, the woman’s body language insinuated that she was not at all impressed.

A few stops later I stood up and rang the bell to get off, because I am deaf I always look at the ‘STOPPING’ sign lighting up to see that the bell has worked.  On this occasion the sign did not light up so I assumed it was broken and stepped forward towards the driver and pressed another bell,  I was too far forward at this point to see the ‘STOPPING’ sign, so I went and stood beside the driver’s cab.

When the bus went straight past my stop I turned to the driver and said “I wanted that stop”.  He said what sounded like "what" so I repeated that I had wanted that stop.  He told me that I should have rung the bell, to which I replied “I did ring the bell and when the stopping sign didn’t light up I came forward and rang a different one”.  He came back with something that sounded like "it didn't ring didn't you notice?" So I told him no because I am Deaf.   And, I cannot believe he actually said to me, "you can hear me"!  I told him I LIP READ.  He then paused for a second before saying “we don’t have anything for deaf people I'm sorry”.

Suffice to say, I didn't get to see the Simpson's as I was busy writing my complaint to the bus company.