Ha'ilono Kina: May 2006 | Go Back

DCAB HAS A SUCCESSFUL 2006 LEGISLATIVE YEAR

. SB 2504, SD 2, HD 2, CD 1 - Relating to Parking for Persons with Disabilities requires the State to reimburse the counties for issuing parking placards to persons with disabilities on behalf of the State. The bill is effective beginning July 1, 2006. At that time, the counties will be reimbursed $12 per unit for issuing parking placards to persons with disabilities. The auditor will conduct a cost analysis to determine the State reimbursement rate to the counties for issuing the parking placards. The measure also included an appropriation of $51,190 to cover a cost increase from $10 to $12 to the counties for issuing placards. The bill was transmitted to the Governor for signature on May 8, 2006.

. SB 2506, HD 1 - Relating to the Reproductive Rights Protection Committee (Act 25 ) repeals the Reproductive Rights Protection Committee (attached to the Department of Health) and provides for a resource list of advisors to assist Family Court, as needed, on sterilization issues relating to incapacitated adults.

. HB 2747, HD 2, SD 1 - Relating to Driver Licensing (Act 61) allows the examiner of drivers to issue an instruction permit to an applicant with disabilities who possesses a valid driver's license from another state but who fails to pass a road test to obtain a Hawaii driver's license. This issue is relevant to drivers with disabilities who are licensed, and don't pass the road test in Hawaii. Issuing an instruction permit allows the driver with a disability to continue to practice driving until he or she obtains a valid Hawaii driver's license. The bill took effect on May 5, 2006.

For the full text of a bill or resolution, go the the Legislatures web site at www.capitol.hawaii.gov and click on 'Bill Status & Docs.' For more information on these or any disability-related measures, contact Debbie Jackson at the DCAB office.

HELP AMERICAN VOTE ACT (HAVA) HAPPENINGS IN HAWAII

Now that election year is here, the Office of Elections with the assistance of the Disability & Communication Access Board has been busy improving accessibility to the voting process (including surveying polling sites) and outreaching to the public about what is now available for people with disabilities to vote independently and privately at a polling place.

At the polling sites, people can expect to see temporary ramps (if one is necessary), one accessible polling booth per site, and Ballot Call Buttons at designated locations. On Election Day, voters who need assistance can ask for help from poll workers. Also available are auxiliary aids, including dome magnifiers, lighted magnifiers, signature guides, pen grips, and Communication Cards for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

The Office of Elections had an exhibit booth at the Pacific Rim Conference and the SPIN Conference earlier this year. In fact, some of you may have won prizes playing our HAVA (Help America Vote Act) Jeopardy Game. If you haven't had the opportunity to see our exhibit yet, you can visit our booth on June 9th and 10th, 2006 at the Tools for Life Expo. Stop by to obtain voter information, register to vote, or have a chance to play the HAVA Jeopardy Game.

For more information, contact Joan at the DCAB office or by email at joan.bird@doh.hawaii.gov .

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT THE HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER ON JUNE 8, 9, and 10, 2006

2006 Disability Access Conference

Thursday, June 8, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., and Friday, June 9, 8:30 - 12 noon

Approximately 40 presentations will be given on employment discrimination, facility access and design, access to law enforcement, criminal justice, and victim services, assistive technology and communication access, and access to other programs and services (e.g., health care, recreation services, etc.). Selected sessions on design will receive AIA continuing education credits.

Keynote presentations (and workshop presentations) will be given by Lex Frieden , Chairperson of the National Council on Disability, Washington, D.C., and Senior Vice President at the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, Texas, as well as Michael Lotito, Esq., Partner in the San Francisco based law firm of Jackson Lewis, LLP.  A third keynote panel will include selected individuals in Hawaii who will talk about the community impact of the ADA.

Other mainland speakers include: John Wodatch, Chief, and Mark Mazz , AIA, Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.; Carol Miaskoff, Assistant Legal Counsel, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington, D.C.;   Marsha Mazz , Coordinator of Technical Assistance, and Paul Beatty , Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board, Washington, D.C.; Dinah Cohen , Director, and Sharon Terrell-Lindsay , Dexterity Team Leader, CAP Program, U.S. Department of Defense, Washington, D.C.; and Erica Jones , Director, and Judith Stark , Accessibility Specialist, Pacific ADA & IT Center, Oakland, California. The mainland speakers will be augmented by an array of local speakers.

The registration fee of $95 for both days includes coffee and pastries in the morning, a sit down lunch on Thursday, and a boxed lunch on Friday.   

The registration deadline is May 26, 2006 . Registration will be limited to 550 attendees.

A full Conference Program can be viewed (in PDF and text) on the Disability and Communication Access Board web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab/ and click on "2006 Disability Access Conference".  Included in the Conference Program is a registration form.   For more information contact the Disability and Communication Access Board at 808-586-8121 (V/TTY) or dcab@doh.hawaii.gov

Post 2006 Disability Access Conference Workshops with Linda Burkhart

Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10

The following three education workshops by Educator and Consultant Linda Burkhart will be offered for an additional registration fee of $25. To register, fill out the 2006 Disability Access Conference registration form available in the Conference Program on the DCAB web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab/.

Friday, June 9, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Practical Strategies for Children Who Face Significant Challenges

Saturday, June 10, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Communication Strategies for Students on the Autism Spectrum Who Face Severe Communication Challenges

Saturday, June 10, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m .

Partner-Assisted Communication Skills for Children Who Face Multiple Challenges

2006 Tools for Life Expo: Power Up the Future with Assistive Technology
Friday, June 9, 12 noon - 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 10, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Expo is FREE to all attendees.  The Expo will feature a wide range of assistive technology, products and services for persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers, employers, and service providers.  Drop-in workshops, also free and open to the public, will demonstrate assistive technology and provide opportunities for attendees to learn more about services and disability discrimination laws.  Wheelchair sports demonstrations will be presented throughout the Expo. Check out the web site at http://wwwtoolsforlifehawaii.com for more information.  It's also not too late to sign up for a booth at the Expo. Information on booth registration is also available on the web site.    For more information, contact the Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii at 1-800-645-3997 (V/TTY) or atrc-info@atrc.org

Tools for Life Expo Corporate Sponsor:

. Sprint Relay Hawaii

Conference Sponsors and Coordinators:

. Pacific ADA and IT Center

. Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC)

. Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB)

Supporting Sponsors and Planning Committee Members:

. Access Aloha Travel

. ALOHA Special Technology Access Center, Inc.

. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

. Center for Disability Studies

. Department of Health/Developmental Disabilities Division

. Department of Health/Early Intervention Services

. Department of Education/Special Education Services

. Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC)

. Elderly Affairs Division - City and County of Honolulu

. Hawaii Disability Rights Center

. PDMI Care

. State Executive Office on Aging

HMSA's Caring for Family, Caring for Yourself, An Oahu Caregiver's Conference
Saturday, June 10, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Caring for aging family members can be overwhelming. Get the training you need to help your loved ones. This conference features a keynote speaker, resource fair, local service providers, and classes on topics such as:

. Coping with Alzheimer's disease and dementia

. Community resources for caregiver support

. Legal issues

. Medication management

. Financial and tax information

. Successful aging begins with YOU!

. Preretirement planning for boomers

. Personal care tips to help caregivers with their caregiving tasks

. And other important issues in providing care to older adults

The conference registration fee of $30 includes a boxed lunch for those who pre-register by June 5 as well as conference materials. Scholarships are available for Native Hawaiians and those who meet income guidelines through ALU LIKE, Inc. (535-1326). For more information or to register, go to http://hmsa.com/community/events/caregivers, call 808-523-4545 or email mfoo@honolulu.gov

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