Ha'ilono Kina: February 2007 | Go Back

HA‘ILONO KINA

(TO BRING THE NEWS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES )

Published by the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB)

 

FEBRUARY 2007

 

2007 HAWAII LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The 2007 Legislative session began on January 17 and continues until May 3.  DCAB’s Legislative Committee meets weekly throughout the session to review and take positions on disability-related measures in the following categories:
Parking for Persons with Disabilities
Non-discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities/Civil Rights
Taxation/Tax Credits for Persons with Disabilities
Quarantine or Service Animal for Persons with Disabilities
Education
Community-Based Services for Persons with Disabilities - Non Appropriation
Community-Based Services for Persons with Disabilities - Appropriation
Long Term Care, Medicaid, QUEST
Injury Prevention (helmet, seat belt bills, etc.)
Assisted Suicide
Building Codes/Design
Emergency Preparedness
A categorized list of the disability-related bills currently being tracked is posted on the DCAB’s home web page at www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab under ‘2007 Hawaii Legislative Session.’ This list will be updated on a regular basis during the session. For bill status or to review text of specific bills or resolutions, visit the Capitol web site at www.capitol.hawaii.gov and select the “Bill Status” link. This list will be updated on a regular basis during the session.  For more information, contact Debbie Jackson or Francine Wai , or at telephone  (808) 586-8121 v/tty.

DCAB HAS UPDATED WEB SITE

www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab

The DCAB web site has been completely overhauled.  From the home page, users can quickly go to frequently requested disability related topics from a navigation bar on the left, as well as see the most recent additions to the web site under “NEW FROM DCAB” listed right down the middle of the page.  Also from the home page, users can quickly link to ‘Key Federal Disability Resources’ to access information from national agencies.  The new web site conveniently allows users to change font size and color scheme to fit their viewing preference.  Useful publications are available in both html and pdf formats.

 

SPECIAL INSERT:

DCAB ANNUAL REPORT

Please take a look at DCAB’s Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Annual Report conveniently inserted into this issue of the Ha‘ilono Kina and also posted on DCAB’s web site.

DCAB REVIEWS APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL DOT FUNDS

Each year the State Department of Transportation (DOT) accepts applications from qualified private nonprofit organizations and government entities seeking federal funds to provide special transportation services for the elderly and/or persons with disabilities.  DCAB serves on the evaluation and selection committee for the award of these Federal Transit Administration (FTA) section 5310 program funds. This past year fourteen agencies applied for a portion of the $503,579 awarded to the State of Hawaii, ten agencies statewide were awarded funding.  These agencies will use the funds to the purchase vehicles and other equipment in support of transporting the elderly and persons with disabilities.  For more information, contact Judy Paik or at telephone (808) 586-8121 v/tty.

HOUSING FUND APPLICATION PROCESS ESTABLISHED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) oversees affordable housing finance and development efforts in Hawaii. HHFDC works with state residents, housing developers and financiers to promote quality housing that is attainable and equitable.  DCAB recently provided technical assistance to HHFDC on the certification of disability status to purchase a state-financed dwelling unit. If an applicant or a family member of an applicant is deemed to be a person with a disability, he/she may receive priority in purchasing a home.    DCAB drafted an application and eligibility form which the HHFDC accepted and has put into use.  An individual shall be considered to be a person with a disability per §15-174-78 Hawaii Administrative Rules if such individual is determined to have a mental or physical impairment which:
is expected to be of long, continued and indefinite duration;
substantially impedes the individual’s ability to live independently; and
is of such a nature that such ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions.
This process makes it possible for HHFDC to provide preference to people with disabilities when delivering their services.  For more information, contact Charlotte Townsend or at telephone (808) 586-8121 v/tty.

HAWAII PARKS AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AMENDED

The County of Hawaii amended its Department of Parks and Recreation Administrative Rules which specify the department’s obligation to comply with the provisions of the ADA.  In general, the amendments cover ADA obligations for accessible features, notification of public hearings with requests for auxiliary aids and services, definitions of persons with disabilities and service animals, and reasonable modifications of practices and procedures for access to specific programs/and or activities. The DCAB Board submitted testimony in support of the rules.  However, concern was expressed regarding the potential exclusion of persons with disabilities from renting carts and accessing the golf course by requiring users to possess a valid driver’s license.  A driver’s license is required, not as proof of identification, but as a method to determine capability to drive. DCAB suggested that this issue be researched further to find a more equitable solution.  DCAB will assist the County with this research effort.  To view the administrative rules, go to www.hawaii-county.com/parks.rules.htm.   For more information, contact Charlotte Townsend or at telephone (808) 586-8121 v/tty.

 

THIS REPORT IS A SPECIAL INSERT TO THE FEBRUARY 2007 HA‘ILONO KINA.

DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD

ANNUAL REPORT

Fiscal Year 2005-2006

  The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) is a Governor appointed Board whose mission is to advocate and promote the full integration of independence, equal access, and quality of life for persons with disabilities in society.  The following report highlights activities accomplished in Fiscal Year July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.

 

CIVIL RIGHTS
Coordinated the State’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance efforts; successfully obtained the issuance of Governor Lingle’s Administrative Directive 06-02 on ADA Coordination which reaffirmed the State’s commitment to the ADA as well as DCAB’s lead as a coordinating agency; developed a new state ADA web site to provide information on all State and County ADA Coordinators and other relevant State ADA publications.
Successfully obtained a Victims of Crime Act grant and, in cooperation with the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, developed a series of workshops held at the 2006 Disability Access Conference to assist law enforcement, criminal justice, and victim services personnel understand the requirements of the ADA and best practices for serving people with disabilities.  The training will be condensed and replicated in Fiscal Year 06-07 on the neighbor islands.
Coordinated the Help American Vote Act (HAVA) with the Hawaii State Office of Elections to ensure access to the 2006 elections for persons with disabilities.  Assisted in surveying polling sites and developing a training video on how to survey and make a polling site accessible, developed an Auxiliary Aid Kit and communication cards for voters who are deaf at each polling site, developed a brochure and public service announcement specifically for voters with disabilities, purchased necessary items (call buttons, signage, etc.) to make the polling sites physically accessible, and conducted extensive outreach to groups and individuals with disabilities to understand the use of a Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machine, the voting process, and accessibility provisions of the election process .
Sub-contracted with the Pacific ADA and Information Technology Center, located in Oakland, California and funded by the National Institute for Disability & Rehabilitation Research, to serve as the Hawaii contact for ADA training and technical assistance.  The contract underwrote 25 ADA-related trainings and the 2006 Disability Access Conference.

FACILITY ACCESS
Conducted 1,193 document reviews under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §103-50 of buildings, facilities, and sites to ensure access for persons with disabilities.  A separate Annual Report is available on DCAB’s HRS §103-50 review process.
Reviewed 11 Master Plans for inclusion of accessibility provisions.
Issued nine (9) interpretive opinions on design standards as applicable to state and county projects.
Developed several design training modules and displays; conducted 15 trainings on accessible design for the architectural and engineering professions.
Reviewed and provided technical comments on the U.S. Access Board’s new ABA/ADAAG design guidelines; served on a committee to edit the U.S. Access Board’s technical assistance design manual on public-rights-of-way design.

COMMUNICATION ACCESS
Revised the State of Hawaii Quality Assurance System (HQAS) test for Sign Language interpreters to include an assessment of proficiency in local Hawaii language and linguistics, and developed original videotapes to test for local language proficiency.    Trained nine (9) evaluators on new test material.
Amended the Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 11-218 to include the HQAS +H credential and began rule-making amendments to modify the recommended fee schedule for sign language interpreters.
Administered seven (7) HQAS tests to candidates for interpreter credentialing.

EDUCATION  (Implemented through the Special Parent Information Network)
Operated the Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) “warm line” responding to 1,075 requests for information regarding the education and other needs of children with disabilities.
Conducted the Annual SPIN Conference and approximately 12 community outreach efforts on parent involvement and inclusive education.
Published four (4) regular issues and one special edition of the SPIN newsletter for parents of children in the Department of Education on issues affecting children with special needs.
Printed the Parent’s Guide to Special Education.
Disseminated information on the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through an aggressive public education effort in cooperation with the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) of Department of Education, and other community Agencies.

PARKING
Coordinated the parking program for persons with disabilities in cooperation with county government agencies to issue 30,000+ placards to persons with mobility impairments; and updated the statewide database to reduce input errors and improve functionality.
Initiated a program to retrieve invalid placards upon renewal or death of the placard holder, retrieving over 500 invalid placards per month.
Revised all parking for persons with disabilities publications and application forms; and developed 3 public service announcements and a portable display for outreach and education purposes.
Successfully achieved passage of legislation to provide a stable funding mechanism (at $12 per placard) to the counties to issue placards on behalf of the State of Hawaii; amended Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 11-219 to reflect the changes and other housekeeping improvements.

COMMUNITY LIVING & EMPLOYMENT
Co-coordinated a statewide task force and wrote the 2006 Interagency Action Plan on the Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities and Special Health Needs; assisted State Civil Defense to cross-reference the locations of emergency shelters with the barrier removal efforts in the schools to ensure access in shelter facilities; assisted in the development of the State’s Homeland Security grant and other funding efforts to secure monies for outreach and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
Conducted 14 trainings on Title I of the ADA for state, county and private employers, including training with the Hawaii Employers Council, with an emphasis on providing reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities.
Obtained approval from Governor Lingle on the State’s Olmstead Implementation Plan and began participation on an Implementation Task Force to meet the goals and objectives of the plan.  The Olmstead plan seeks to provide services for people with disabilities in a community-based setting when appropriate rather than in institutions.
Advocated successfully for increased Legislative funding for community-based residential programs and other services to enable people with disabilities to live in the community.

TRANSPORTATION & TRAVEL (NON-PARKNG)
Continued to assist the Hawaii Department of Transportation on revisions to motor vehicle driver licensing to ensure non-discriminatory treatment of persons with disabilities is balanced with public safety; obtained passage of legislation to provide more flexibility for county licensing agencies in issuing licenses.
Served on the State Department of Transportation’s Section 5310 Review Panel to review and award money to nonprofit agencies providing transportation to the elderly or disabled population.

OTHER GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Co-coordinated the 2006 Disability Access Conference held in June 2006 and attended by  440 professionals who were provided with information on civil rights,  disability awareness and how to better serve people with disabilities.  The conference was held in conjunction with the 2006 Tools for Life Expo at which information on laws, services, and products for persons with disabilities was provided to approximately 3,000 expo attendees.
Continued to serve as a clearinghouse for information on services and law; responded to 5,860 requests to either DCAB’s phone line or web email, SPIN parent warm line, or design-line by fax; published the DCAB newsletter ‘Ha’ilono Kina and Access Bulletin.

 

DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD (DCAB)

919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 101, Honolulu, HI  96814 • Phone (808)586-8121 (v/tty) • Fax (808)586-8129 • E-mail: dcab@doh.hawaii.gov • www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab

Linda Lingle, Governor, State of Hawaii
Chiyome L. Fukino, M.D., Director of Health
Francine Wai, Executive Director

BOARD MEMBERS

Patricia Nielsen, Chairperson
Charles Fleming, Vice Chairperson
Anthony Akamine
Dean Aoki
Ronald Awa
Sharon Fountain
Dean Georgiev
Brian Kajiyama
Francine Aona Kenyon
Marie Kimmey
William Koki, II
Lucy Miller, PH.D
Glenn Morgan
Mark Obatake
Norman Olesen
Christina M. Pilkington
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:  We provide access to our activities without regard to race, color, national origin (including language), age, sex, religion, or disability.  If you have a concern, write or call the Disability and Communication Access Board or the Department of Health Affirmative Action Officer at P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI  96801-3378, or call 586-4616 (v/tty) within 180 days of a problem.

 

CALL FOR ENTRIES

‘ACCESSIBLE DESIGN AWARDS’

 DCAB is seeking entries for the first “Accessible Design Awards” to recognize buildings, facilities and sites that are accessible as well as aesthetic, functional and enhance the entire user experience.  Successful and exemplary projects are sought that go beyond accessibility codes, and are ‘designed for all’, not only for persons with disabilities.  Projects will be judged in three categories: 1) Public Design (Non-residential); 2) Private Design (Non-residential); and 3) Residential Design (Public or Private).  There is no fee to submit an entry.  Entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. on June 15, 2007. More detailed submittal requirements and an entry form is available on the DCAB web site at www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab. 

Award recipients will be honored and recognized at the 2007 Disability Access Conference Luncheon on September 6, 2007 at the Ala Moana Hotel. The theme for this full-day event is ‘Design For All.’  The conference will be an opportunity for individuals and design professionals to learn, share ideas and promote exemplary designs that create social and physical environments which successfully integrate imaginative solutions to meet diverse user needs.  Detailed conference program information will be printed in the next HK issue, so stay tuned.

For more information on the Accessible Design Awards or the 2007 Disability Access Conference, contact Mona Higa or Laurie Palenske or at telephone (808) 586-8121.

IT’S SPIN CONFERENCE TIME AGAIN!

Since 1986 the Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) has been organizing an annual conference to give families of children with disabilities an opportunity to gather information, network with professionals and other parents, and reenergize for the sometimes challenging job of parenting and advocating for children with special needs.  This year SPIN presents ‘SPIN’s Home & Garden’ at their annual conference on April 21, 2007 at the University of Hawaii Campus Center.  ‘Rake’ in some great information from helpful workshops, ‘cultivating’ speakers, and exhibitor displays.  Parent airfare scholarships are available on a limited basis.   For more information, check out SPIN’s web site at www.spinhawaii.org, e-mail spin@doh.hawaii.gov, or call the SPIN office at 586-8126 v/tty.  Neighbor islands dial the following number and then extension 6-8126: Kauai 274-3141, Maui 984-2400, Lanai & Molokai 1-800-468-4644.

NEW BOARD MEMBER JOINS DCAB

DCAB is pleased to announce a new Board member.   Mark Giblin is a dedicated advocate of disability rights and services and is very active in the legislative process.  Mr. Giblin, formerly of Monterey, California, has recently retired and relocated to Oahu.   Mr. Giblin was an active participant in the development of federal guidelines on accessibility for outdoor recreation areas through the U.S. Access Board’s Advisory Committee. He brings to the board valuable experience as an active supporter of people with disabilities and a strong commitment to the community.  Mr. Giblin sits on DCAB’s Standing Committee on Parking and the Legislative Committee.

DCAB GETS NEW HCAP ‘VOLUNTEERS’

Through The Honolulu Community Action Program, DCAB has been fortunate enough to get two part time clerical workers.  HCAP is a nonprofit human service agency that has been servicing the island community since 1965 with the philosophy that “no individual should be denied the opportunity to share and contribute fully to the best of his/her capabilities in the social and economic well being and prosperity of our society.”  HCAP’s Senior Community Services Employment Program is a federally funded program under Title V of the Older Americans Act.  Through this program, senior clients can secure stable employment and remain contributing, active and involved members of the community.  James Letoto works exclusively on the parking for persons with disabilities database doing data entry on the many returned placards DCAB receives.  Rose Taylor provides a great deal of general clerical support for all of the DCAB units.  Both James and Rose have ‘caught on quickly’ to their work duties freeing up DCAB staff to perform other important duties.   Welcome James and Rose and thank you for all your hard work!

 

DCAB
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 101
Honolulu, HI    96814

PHONE

Oahu:  586-8121 v/tty
Kauai:  274-3141v/tty ext. 6-8121#
Hawaii: 974-4000 v/tty  ext. 6-8121#
Maui:    984-2400 v/tty  ext. 6-8121#
Molokai & Lanai: 1-800-468-4644 v/tty

FAX (808) 586-8129

E-MAIL dcab@doh.hawaii.gov

WEB www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:  We provide access to our activities without regard to race, color, national origin (including language), age, sex, religion, or disability.  If you have a concern, write or call the Disability and Communication Access Board or the Department of Health Affirmative Action Officer at P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI  96801-3378, or call 586-4616 (v/tty) within 180 days of a problem.

 

 

DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD (DCAB)

Linda Lingle, Governor, State of Hawaii
Chiyome Leinaala Fukino, M.D., Director of Health
Patricia Nielsen, Chairperson  
Charles Fleming, Vice Chairperson
Francine Wai, Executive Director  

 

 

 

Disability and Communication Access Board
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 101
Honolulu, HI 96814

Oahu: (808) 586- 8121 (V/TTY) 
Kauai: 274- 3141, ext. 6-8121# (V/TTY)  
Hawaii: 974-4000, ext. 6-8121# (V/TTY ) 
Maui: 984- 2400, ext. 6-812 # (V/TTY)
Molokai & Lanai: 1(800) 468- 4644, ext. 6-8121# (V/TTY)

Fax: (808) 586-8129
E-mail: dcab@doh.hawaii.gov
Web Site: www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab