Learn How to Get Your Business ADA Compliant at the "Communication is Key" Conference
Working with People with Hearing, Visual and Speech Disabilities

HONOLULU – The public and business community are invited to attend the "Communication is Key" Conference, a FREE event showcasing services and products available to assist communication for people with hearing, speech, and visual disabilities.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, more businesses are searching for ways to meet their obligation to be more accessible to their staff and customer base. "Businesses and organizations should be aware of the latest in products and services that enhance communication to people with disabilities as customers and employees," said Francine Wai, Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board, one of the co-sponsoring agencies. "Accessibility is good business," says Wai.

The conference will feature interactive exhibits with hands-on demonstrations of the newest assistive technology services and devices. Some of the products featured will be Sprint Hawaii’s Captioned Telephone, Video Relay Service, Online Relay, and products from other businesses in the community. Workshops will highlight topics including sign language, captioning services, Braille documents, hearing disabled phone services and website accessibility.

The "Communication Is Key" Conference is sponsored by the Disability and Communication Access Board, Sprint Relay Hawaii, and the Pacific ADA & IT Center (Pacific DBTAC).

The conference takes place Tuesday, November 18, 2003, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Kalia Executive Conference Center. Conference workshops are scheduled from 12:00 noon to 4:30 p.m. with the interactive exhibits open to the public from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. A reception open to the public will be held from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The conference and exhibits are free although advanced registration is required to attend the workshops. Attendance at the workshops is limited to first-come, first-served.

For conference registration information, call (808) 586-8121 (Voice/TTY). To view the conference brochure, go to /health/dcab/training/communication.htm.

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For more information, contact:

Francine Wai
Disability and Communication Access Board
Phone: 586-8121 (Voice/TTY)

Darcie Yukimura
Information Specialist, Communications Office
Phone: 586-4442
E-mail: dayukimura@mail.health.state.hi.us