Change font size: Larger Font | Smaller Font
Change color scheme: Default style | Black-White | Blue-White | Black-Yellow
Ha'ilono Kina: January 2006 | Go Back
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PLANNING
In the wake of the September 11 th terrorist attacks and the more recent disaster of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the inability of the emergency preparedness and response system to address the needs of persons with disabilities became more apparent . In October 2005, a Working Group of government agencies was convened to address this issue and develop a strategic plan.
The strategic plan does not propose an entirely separate set of emergency procedures for the disability population, but is instead a roadmap to ensure that legislative, administrative, or programmatic efforts are inclusive of the issues of people with disabilities or special needs. Following are selected excerpts from the current draft. For more information, contact Debbie Jackson at the DCAB office.
Population Described
For the purpose of this plan, the population of people with disabilities is broadly grouped into 3 categories:
Level I: Those with disabilities who are independent and capable of self-care or care by a daily caregivers.
Level II : Those individuals who have ongoing 'enhanced medical needs' and who, by the nature of their condition, need a heightened level of attention.
Level III: Those individuals who have additional acute medical needs who seek the services of an acute care hospital.
Basic Premises and Assumptions
- A 'separate' emergency management plan for individuals with disabilities or special needs is not appropriate.
- Emergency preparedness is foremost an individual's personal responsibility or, if the person is in the care of another, the caregiver's responsibility.
- A registry of persons with disabilities is not recommended .
- All shelters made available to the population at-large should be physically accessible for Level I individuals.
- A selected number of locations should be designated for more intensive medical or health support for Level II individuals.
- Hospitals should be reserved for Level III individuals.
- People with disabilities or special needs should remain as a unit with their family.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1 : All pre-designated locations used and managed as emergency evacuation shelters shall meet minimum requirements for facility access in the area of ingress and use of restroom (toilet) facilities to meet the needs of Level I individuals.
Goal 2: The capacity of the community to "shelter-in-place" shall be increased.
Goal 3: The number and dispersion of community emergency shelters as centers to provide augmented health support for Level II individuals shall be increased.
Goal 4 : Public education campaign shall be developed to assist everyone to make plans for themselves and their families in the event of an emergency. Individuals with disabilities or special needs shall have an emergency evacuation plan in place developed by themselves or by their caregivers to implement in the event of a notification of evacuation.
Goal 5: Individuals with disabilities or special needs shall receive notification of an evacuation through the State Civil Defense mechanisms.
DCAB Annual Report Available
DCAB's Annual Report for fiscal year 2004-2005 is available on the DCAB website or in hard copy, Braille or audio format by request to the DCAB office. This report highlights DCAB's most significant accomplishments towards meeting its annual goals and objectives .
NEW HAWAII OLMSTEAD IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
In 1999, the Supreme Court handed down the Olmstead decision establishing that it is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for states to discriminate against people with disabilities by providing services in institutions when the individual could be served more appropriately in a community-based setting. To meet its obligation, the State of Hawaii created an Olmstead Task Force, comprised of people with disabilities, family members, advocacy groups, non-profit agencies, businesses, and government agencies. DCAB has served on this Task Force.
In a recent letter Governor Lingle commends the Task Force for their work and adopts the Implementation Plan they put forth, which lays out strategies intended to meet specific goals. The State Departments of Health and of Human Services are predominantly listed as lead agencies because both have responsibility for administering programs that support persons with disabilities. DCAB is tasked, along with other state agencies, to increase employment opportunities by "issuing an executive order instructing all department heads to ensure job applicants with disabilities are assured equal employment opportunity." The Plan calls for a 'disability access liaison' from DCAB to assist with implementing a unified transportation plan. For more information, contact Debbie Jackson at the DCAB office .
STATEWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR VICTIM SERVICES COMPLETED
DCAB served on a Committee of the Department of the Attorney General to develop a statewide plan for victim services, with an emphasis on persons with disabilities as a target audience. The establishment of a plan is intended to provide a seamless service delivery system that is victim centered and inclusive. The Plan was recently completed and includes several important actions, such as: law enforcement will obtain training about ADA compliance and the rights of victims with disabilities; service providers (and entities who interact with people with disabilities) shall be able to refer victims with disabilities to appropriate agencies; and people with disabilities will be able to recognize a crime committed against them and will be able to access the civil and criminal justice systems to obtain remedies. For more information, contact Francine Wai at the DCAB office.
MICRO-ENTERPRISE BUSINESS AWARD GOES TO THE ROCCOS
One year ago, Hawaii was awarded a grant by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to increase competitive employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The grant provides resources to remove barriers to employment and develop an infrastructure to support working people with disabilities. In Hawaii the project is called Hire Abilities Hawaii , and represents an innovative coordinated effort among several state departments and agencies.
In recognition of everyone's hard work throughout the first year, the 1st Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Awards were presented at the Healthy & Ready to Work Conference on October 24, 2005. The Micro-Enterprise Business of the Year award was presented to Jason Rocco of Jason's Candles LLC. Jason is the son of DCAB/SPIN's own Susan Rocco. Congratulations Jason and Susan. Keep up the good work!
NEW COMMUNICATION ACCESS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES SIGNED
The amended Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 11-218, entitled "Communication Access Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Persons" have been signed by the Governor and are effective as of October 13, 2005. The rules now recognize the Hawaii Supplemental Video test (+H) credential which evaluates the skill and language proficiency of sign language interpreters with respect to local (Hawaiian) language idioms, and cultural contexts. The new rules also establish that for assignments where two providers are scheduled and one fails to appear, the solo provider shall be paid the full fee plus 30% of the hourly rate. Further amendments are planned, including revisions to the Recommended Fee Schedule for Interpreters. The new rules are posted on the DCAB website or contact the DCAB office for a hard copy. For more information, contact Kristine Pagano at the DCAB office, telephone 586-8130 tty .
TOOLS FOR LIFE 2006
June 8, 9, 10, 2006
Hawaii Convention Center - Honolulu, Hawaii
Power Up the Future with Assistive Technology FREE EXHIBITS AND DROP-IN SESSIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
June 9, 2006: Noon - 6 p.m. June 10, 2006: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
The 2006 Disability Access Conference will be held on June 8 - 9, 2006 in conjunction with the Tools for Life Expo. Seminars will focus on discrimination in employment and services, facility access, communication access, housing, law enforcement, information and assistive technology, and recreation. Registration fee required. |
The 2006 Caregivers Conference will be held on June 10, 2006 in conjunction with the Tools for Life Expo. Seminars will assist families and other caregivers in providing support to individuals who are elderly, disabled, or with long term care needs. Registration fee required. |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tools for Life Expo, Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii:
1-800-645-3007 (V/TTY), atrc-info@atrc.org
Disability Access Conference, Disability Communication Access Board:
808-586-8121(V/TTY), dcab@doh.hawaii.gov
Caregivers Conference, Elderly Affairs Division:
808-523-4545, mfoo@honolulu.gov
Tools for Life Lead Corporate Sponsor: Sprint Relay Hawaii
Disability Access Conference Lead Sponsor: Pacific ADA & IT Center
Caregivers Conference Sponsor: HMSA, AARP, Alu Like Inc., Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division
NEW STAFF FOR PROGRAM ON PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
DCAB welcomes Peter Harrer as the new Program Specialist for the Statewide Program on Parking for Persons with Disabilities. DCAB's parking program serves Hawaii's persons with mobility impairments by providing permits, placards, and special license plates through county issuing agencies. Peter's responsibilities include management of records in the program's statewide database, responding to customer service requests, organizing the public education and outreach program, coordinating committee meetings, working with volunteers and local police departments on enforcement issues, and contributing to policy concerns. Previously, Peter was a Peace Corps Volunteer at the National University of Samoa, and was a writer and lecturer on communications in Mexico and Hawaii. Currently, he is completing a master's degree in Library & Information Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In addition, Peter is an enthusiastic scholar of film and theater. He holds an M.A. in Film from the University of Texas at Austin.
Adele Ching recently accepted an offer she couldn't refuse and left DCAB to return to the Executive Office on Aging where she has worked prior to DCAB. We thank Adele for all her hard work in the parking program here at DCAB and wish her luck in her new position .
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
