ACCESS BULLETIN   

     

   

2007 Disability Access Conference

 

Mark your calendars for this year’s “2007 Disability Access Conference: Design For All” to be held on September 6, 2007 at the Ala Moana Hotel. This year’s theme “Design for All” reflects projects and designs which are inclusive and “people-centered”; they personify not just accessibility but the ability to create buildings and facilities that respect people of all ages and abilities, be they children, adults, seniors, or those with disabilities.

 

The term “design for all” is based on the concept of “universal design”, creative solutions that blend the architecture and design with products or special features to achieve the goal of making the site or facility usable by as many people as possible.  This year’s break-out sessions will cover residential design, urban planning, public right-of-way, outdoor recreation, and facility access.

 

Our conference keynote speakers are:

 

Edward Steinfeld, Arch. D., director of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access and Professor of Architecture at State University of New York/Buffalo

 

Russ Saito, Comptroller and Director, State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services

 

For a complete list and description of the break-out sessions, keynote address and registration information go to DCAB’s website at www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab

 

 

Statewide Model Building Code

 

On May 21, 2007 Governor Linda Lingle signed into law Senate Bill SB795 SD2 HD1 CD1.  With this bill the Department of Accounting and General Services will be tasked with forming a State Building Code Council whose purpose is to establish and implement a state building code. The bill is available on the Hawaii State Legislature website at: www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/SB795_CD1_.htm

 

Traditionally Hawaii counties have adopted various codes and various editions of a code each one different from county to county.  With the formation of the State Building Code Council and a state building code, Hawaii will for the first time see a uniform statewide building code adopted which will be applicable to one and two-family dwellings, other residential buildings and facilities and commercial and industrial buildings.  Each county will be able to amend the state building code as it applies within their respective jurisdictions.

 

To learn more about this Statewide Building Code and the formation of the Council come and hear Russ Saito, Comptroller and Director of the State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services speak at the 2007 Disability Access Conference to be held on September 6, 2007 at the Ala Moana Hotel.

 

 

Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas

 

The Access Board has developed proposed accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas in a continuing effort to provide guidance on design and constructing accessible facilities.  A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) provides guidance on the design and construction of newly constructed and altered trails, outdoor recreation access routes, picnic and camping facilities, and beach access routes. The NPRM is based on a final report from the Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Outdoor Developed Areas, presented to the Board in September 1999.  This 27 member Regulatory Negotiation Committee, including all the Federal land management agencies, represents a consensus approach to making outdoor developed areas accessible to persons with disabilities.

 

As a first step, the guidelines in this NPRM will only apply to outdoor developed areas constructed or altered by Federal agencies.  The guidelines do not apply to outdoor developed areas constructed or altered by other entities with federal funds. Future rulemaking is planned for Federally funded outdoor developed areas and those areas covered by Title II (State and local government) and Title III (places of public accommodation) under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

To learn more about the Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas come and hear Bill Botten, Accessibility Specialist of the U.S. Access Board, speak at the 2007 Disability Access Conference to be held on September 6, 2007 at the Ala Moana Hotel. The guideline is available on the U.S. Access Board website at www.access-board.gov/news/outdoor-nprm.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disability and Communication Access Board

919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 101 · Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Oahu: (808) 586-8121 (Voice/TTY),  (808) 586-8129 (FAX)

E-mail: dcab@doh.hawaii.gov

Web site: www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab           

 

Call toll free from:

Big Island: 974-4000, ext. 6-8121# (Voice)

Kauai: 274-3141, ext. 6-8121# (Voice)

Maui:  984-2400, Ext. 6-8121# (Voice)

Molokai & Lanai:  1(800) 468-4644, ext. 6-8121# (Voice)