
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993                   TAG: 9308220086
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG                                LENGTH: Short

DISABLED VETERAN GETS EMT LICENSE

Wayne Walker, who lost both legs in a land mine explosion during the Vietnam War, has won his battle to keep his certification as an emergency medical technician.

"I feel great," Walker said. "I felt maybe I wasn't going to get it."

Last year, the Lynchburg resident took training, passed both written and practical tests, and was issued an EMT certification.

But the Office of Emergency Medical Services rescinded the certification, saying Walker could not perform all assigned duties.

Walker said Wednesday the Department of Rights for Virginians With Disabilities told him his EMT certification will be reinstated.

Walker, 44, said he will sign a consent order that includes an agreement that he will not undertake EMT efforts that exceed his estimate of his abilities.

"He's happy with that - he wouldn't have done that anyway," said William Kirkland, Walker's attorney.

The EMS office had said that Walker should not have been allowed to take the course and that the grading of his written tests and the issuing of his certificate had been a mistake.

With the help of the Department of Rights for Virginians With Disabilities, Walker appealed to the state Board of Health earlier this month, claiming that the refusal to certify him because of his disability violated the federal Americans With Disabilities Act.

by CNB