Ha'ilono Kina: September 2006 | Go Back

 

HA‘ILONO KINA
TO BRING THE NEWS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Published by the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB)

MAY  2007

2007 DISABILITY ACCESS CONFERENCE
DCAB is presenting the “2007 Disability Access Conference:  Design for All” on September 6 at the Ala Moana Hotel.  This full-day conference is an opportunity to learn about and promote exemplary designs that create social and physical environments which successfully integrate imaginative solutions and diverse user needs.

‘Design for All’ is based on the concept of universal design, utilizing creative solutions that blend architecture and design with products or special features to make a site or facility usable by as many people as possible.  ‘Design for All’ reflects projects which are inclusive and people-centered; they exemplify 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 individuals with disabilities. 

DCAB is also 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.  Award recipients will be recognized at the conference luncheon.  Entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. on June 15, 2007 and there is no fee to enter.

Conference registration and more details are on the DCAB web site.  For more information contact Mona Higa (mona.higa@doh.hawaii.gov) or Laurie Palenske (laurie.palenske@doh.hawaii.gov) or call the DCAB office.

 

PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON
COMMUNICATION ACCESS  RULES
DCAB is in the process of amending the Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 11-218, Communication Access Services for Persons Who Are  Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind.  One of the proposed amendments is changing the Recommended Fee Schedule for Sign Language Interpreters.  Other proposed amendments include housekeeping items as well as deletions or additions suggested by oral or written testimony.

A copy of the proposed amendments is available for review at the DCAB office or on the DCAB web site at www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab.  Copies can also be mailed upon request to the DCAB office.  Alternate format is available upon request.

A public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed amendments will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2007 11:00 a.m. at DCAB, 919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Conference Room 103, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814.  Sign Language interpreting and real-time captioning services will be provided at the public hearing.  Any person requiring a special accommodation (i.e., large print material) is asked to contact the DCAB office at least one week before the hearing.  Written testimony on the proposed amendments will be accepted until May 17, 2007 at the DCAB office.

For more information, contact Kristine Pagano, DCAB’s Communication Access Specialist, at kristine.pagano @doh.hawaii.gov or 586-8130 tty.

 

2007 HAWAII LEGISLATIVE SESSION
DCAB’s Legislative Committee met weekly throughout the session to review and take positions on disability-related measures.  The Legislative session ended on May 3.  The Committee reviewed disability-related bills and resolutions under the categories listed below.  The following measures survived final decking or had money included in the budget (HB 500, HD1, SD1, CD1).  Final decking is the deadline for a bill to be in the final form in which it is intended to be passed.  For bill status or to review text of specific bills or resolutions, visit the Capitol web site at www.capitol.hawaii.gov, select the “Bill Status” link and type in the number of the bill or resolution.

For more information about DCAB positions on legislation, contact Debbie Jackson (debbra.jackson@doh.hawaii.gov) or call the DCAB office

Parking for Persons with Disabilities
HB 277, HD1, SD2 – Relating to Fees for Windshield Placards for Persons with Disabilities
Any monies collected by the counties for temporary and replacement placards are required to be returned to the State general fund.

Non-discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities/Civil Rights
SR 7 - Requesting the Office of Elections to Study the Feasibility of Conducting All Elections by Mail
HR 49, HD1 – Requesting the Department of Health to Develop and Adopt Policies that Ensure Notification by All Health Care Facilities and Health Care Providers to the Governor-Designated Protection and Advocacy Entity or Agency Prior to Transferring Any Individual Out-of-State to a Treatment, Rehabilitation, or Long-Term Care Facility

Emergency Preparedness
SR 34 – Urging the Civil Defense Division of the State Department of Defense to Designate a Lead Staff to Address the Needs of Individuals with Disabilities and Special Health Needs

Community-Based Services for Persons with Disabilities - Non-Appropriation
SB 820, SD1 – Relating to Developmental Disabilities (Act 40)  Extends the repeal date of HRS 333F-2 (individual choice/self sufficiency) from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
HCR 188, HD2 – Requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to Study other States’ Adult Protective Services and Compare them to Hawaii’s Adult Protective Services
SR 125, SD1 – Requesting the Department of Health to Conduct a Study of Adult Residential Care Homes
SR 138, SD1 – Requesting the Governor of the State of Hawaii to Convene a Task Force to Review Policies of Restraints and Seclusion on Adults and Children in Institutional and Noninstitutional Settings
SCR 48, SD1, HD2, CD1 - Requesting the Auditor to Conduct a Financial and Program  Audit of the Hawaii Disability Rights Center

Community-Based Services for Persons with Disabilities - Appropriation
SB 426, SD2 – Relating to Human Services  Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to hire staff, upgrade computer system, develop a web site, and operating expenses for an interpreter referral service for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. [Bill died, but money was placed in HB 500, HD1, SD1, CD1]
HB 206, HD1/SB 815, SD1 – Relating to Developmental Disabilities  Appropriates funds for a coordinator and operating expenses to support a statewide self-advocacy network for individuals with developmental disabilities.  [Bills died, but money was placed in HB 500, HD1, SD1, CD1]
HB 208, HD1, SD1 – Relating to Developmental Disabilities  Makes an appropriation to fund operations of developmental disabilities domiciliary homes and apartment complexes for persons with developmental disabilities. [Bills died, but money was placed in HB 500, HD1, SD1, CD1]

Education
SCR 17 – Urging the Department of Education to Study the Educational Implications of the Special Needs of Preschool Age Children with Developmental Disabilities

Building Codes/Design
SB 795, SD2, HD1, CD1 – Relating to the Building Code  Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to establish a state building code that includes hurricane resistive standards.

Long Term Care, Medicaid, QUEST
SB 1004, SD2, HD2, CD1 – Relating to Psychologists  Authorizes prescriptive authority for qualified psychologists who practice at a federally qualified health center.
SB 1182, SD2, CD1 – Relating to Needs Allowance  Establishes a needs allowance for residents of care homes and long-term care facilities.
SR 57 – Establishing a Special Mental Health Task Force to Study Whether Hawaii Should Provide a Continuum of Mental Health Care for Incarcerated Persons

Injury Prevention
SB 1191, SD2, HD1, CD1 – Relating to Pedestrian Safety   Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation for a pilot study to identify State and county intersections where the time to cross the intersection is insufficient for elderly pedestrians.
SR 12 - Requesting the State Department of Transportation and the Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu to Cooperate and Coordinate Efforts to Harmonize Walk Signal Lights with the Pedestrian’s Right of Way in Crosswalk Law

ACTION PLAN FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS UPDATED
During the September 11th terrorist attacks and the more recent disasters of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma of 2005, the inability of the system to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities was a major deficiency in our overall emergency preparedness and response system.  These disasters forced recognition that people with disabilities or special health needs are a more vulnerable population when their daily survival mechanism, coping skills, and support systems are interrupted.  DCAB is part of a Working Group of government agencies and emergency service providers that issued a strategic plan in February of 2006 to provide a road map to ensure that disaster preparedness efforts are inclusive of the unique issues faced by people with disabilities or special health needs.  The “2007 Interagency Action Plan For the Emergency Preparedness of People with Disabilities and Special Health Needs” is an updated version incorporating amendments to the existing goals along with information on recent progress made. 

The 2007 Action Plan is available on the DCAB web site.  Statewide Forums on emergency preparedness and the 2007 Action Plan are scheduled for the fall of 2007.  More details will be available in our next newsletter.

For more information, contact Debbie Jackson (debbra.jackson@doh.hawaii.gov) or call the DCAB office.

VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) TRAINING HELD ON OUTER ISLANDS
Throughout April DCAB, along with the Pacific ADA Center and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, presented “Access to Law Enforcement and the Justice System” trainings on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii, including both Hilo and Kailua-Kona. This training assisted personnel in law enforcement, criminal justice, and victim services better meet the needs of individuals with disabilities who are victims of crime.  DCAB received funding under the Victims of Crime Act through the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General and from the Pacific ADA Center to present these neighbor island trainings which were attended by a total of 70 people.

For more information, contact Judy Paik (judy.paik@doh.hawaii.gov) or call the DCAB office.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SPIN CONFERENCE!
Since 1986 the Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) has been organizing conferences 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’s conference on April 21st used a gardening theme - ‘SPIN’s Home & Garden’ - to showcase a variety of workshops for parents and helping professionals.  There were approximately 325 attendees, including representatives from forty community agencies serving children with disabilities and their families.  The conference began with a keynote presentation by Patricia Hamamoto, Superintendent of Education for the State of Hawaii, who shared her ‘Field of Dreams’ for students receiving special education services.

Every year SPIN also presents awards to exceptional parents and professionals whose efforts make a positive difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities and their families.  Following are the 2007 honorees:  Family Choice Award - Yolanda Tanielu of Molokai and Linda Machado of Oahu; Parents of the Year - Brendelyn Ancheta and Byron Watanabe, both from Kauai; and Professionals of the Year - Dennis McDougall and Tina Donkervoert, both of Oahu.  Congratulations to the award recipients and mahalo for all your hard work!

For more information check out the SPIN web site at www.spinhawaii.org, email spin@doh.hawaii.gov or call the SPIN office on Oahu at 586-8126 v/tty.  To call toll free from neighbor islands dial your island’s number, then extension 6-8126:  Kauai 274-3141, Hawaii 974-4000, Maui 984-2400, Molokai & Lanai 1-800-468-4644.

 

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

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

EMAIL
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