Ha'ilono Kina: September 2007 | Go Back

HA‘ILONO KINA

TO BRING THE NEWS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Published by the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB)

SEPTEMBER 2007

 
HA‘ILONO KINA
TO BRING THE NEWS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Published by the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB)
 
2007 ACCESSIBLE DESIGN AWARDS GIVEN AT THE “DESIGN FOR ALL” CONFERENCE

Governor Linda Lingle along with Dr. Chiyome Leinaala Fukino presented the 2007 Accessible Design Awards at the “2007 Disability AccessConference:  Design for All” on September 6 at the Ala Moana Hotel.   The first “Accessible Design Awards”  recognize buildings, facilities and sites that are accessible as well as aesthetic, functional and enhance the entire user experience.
 
Congratulations to the award winners:
 
Overall Award of Excellence
Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline
Improvements Phase I, Increment 2
Department of Land & Natural Resources
- Division of State Parks
KN Consulting Services, Inc.
 
Public Design - Award of Merit
Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline
Improvements Phase I, Increment 2
Department of Land & Natural Resources
- Division of State Parks
KN Consulting Services, Inc.
 
Private Residential Design - Award of Merit
Beth Arnoult Residence
Beth and Joey Ritthaler
Space Options Inc.
PM Troeger Ltd.
Private Design - Award of Merit
Bali Kai Business Center
Space Options Inc.
PM Troeger Ltd.
 
Public Design - Honorable Mention
Pu‘uhonua Kaulike
(aka Kaua‘i Judiciary Complex)
The Judiciary, State of Hawai‘i
Department of Accounting and General Services, State of Hawai‘i
Anbe Aruga & Ishizu Architects, Inc.
Mitsunaga & Associates, Inc.
Katayama and Associates, Inc.
Ronald N.S. Ho & Associates, Inc.
HLM Design USA, Inc.
Obayashi Design Group, Inc.
Akinaka & Associates, Ltd.
Hawai‘i Design Associates, Inc.
Hirata & Associates, Inc.
Esaki Surveying & Mapping , Inc.
Y. Ebisu & Associates, Inc.
Unlimited Construction Services, Inc.
 
The award winning projects ranged from a public courthouse on Kauai to an outdoor public scenic lookout on east Oahu which were built in Hawaii within the past year.
 
We’re very pleased with the success of the conference and grateful to all those who participated in the “Accessible Design Awards” and the “2007 Disability Access Conference.” We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event.
 
Please visit our web site home page if you’d like to view this year’s conference program and photos of the award winning projects at:                        
www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab

NEWER PARKING PLACARDS TO BE ISSUED  BY THE COUNTIES
Recognizing that the parking placards issued to persons with disabilities were prone to wearing out prior to the 4-year term of issuance, DCAB has ordered new placards which are slightly thicker and more durable.  The new placards will increase in thickness from .023 mm to .035 mm in an effort to withstand the effects of heat and sunlight.  The new placards began being issued by the counties on August 20, 2007.  Aside from the new, thicker material, permittees should not see any difference in the placards.  Permittees who currently have a placard should continue to use it and expect to receive a newer placard upon renewal. 
For more information, contact Peter Harrer at peter.harrer@doh.hawaii.gov or call the DCAB office.
 
 
MAHALO TO MID-PACIFIC INSTITUTE AND REGAL THEATER FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON ACCESSIBLE PARKING STALLS
 
DCAB has entered into an agreement with Regal Theaters to air one of our public service announcements (PSA), developed by the students at Mid-Pacific Institute, in all their Regal Theaters on Oahu prior to the start of each movie.  While eating popcorn or waiting for the trailers to start, the public will be able to see our latest animated PSA on the proper use and abuse of accessible parking stalls.  The students at Mid-Pacific Institute developed four (4) PSAs this year and one was selected for airing in the theaters.  If you see the PSA, please give us feedback, as this will help us with future outreach and education.  Also if you have suggestions for other airings, DCAB will provide you with a CD with all 4 PSAs for your use. 
 
 
For more information, contact Peter Harrer at peter.harrer@doh.hawaii.gov or call the DCAB office.
 
 
 
 
DCAB REPORTS AVAILABLE
DCAB Plan of Action for Fiscal Year 2007 – 2008   The DCAB Board has approved its Plan of Action for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 covering its goals and objectives in the areas of civil rights, facility access, communication access, education and training, community living, parking, transportation, employment, and other information dissemination.  
DCAB Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2006 – 2007   A twelve (12) page report of completed activities for the year ending June 30, 2007 is now available.
DCAB Annual HRS 103-50 Report for Fiscal Year 2006 – 2007  A detailed report of DCAB’s activities to review state and county construction plans, as required under Hawaii Revised Statutes 103-50, is now available.  The report details the number of documents reviewed by type of project, by island, and by department submitting the project for review.  The report also describes additional activities of DCAB in the area of facility access, including our training, site surveys, code analysis and testimony, and urban or master plan review.
 
The reports shown above are available on the DCAB web site. For more information or, if you prefer a hard copy, contact Cindy Omura in the DCAB office at 586-8121 or dcab@doh.hawaii.gov.
 
 
DCAB CONDUCTS DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR MAUI POLICE RECRUITS
On July 5, 2007 staff of DCAB presented a training session to the current recruit class of the Maui Police Department in Wailuku, Maui.  The class consisted of 13 new recruits.   This training included an overview of the ADA Title II, the implications for police officers and best practices for interacting with individuals with disabilities as victims, witnesses, or perpetrators. This was the second year DCAB has offered training to Maui County Police recruits and we hope to make it an ongoing part of the new recruit hiring process.
 
For more information, contact Judy Paik at judy.paik@doh.hawaii.gov or call the DCAB office.
 
GOVERNOR SIGNS DCAB’S
COMMUNICATION ACCESS  RULES
Governor Lingle signed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 11-218, “Communication Access Services for Persons Who Are  Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind,” promulgated by DCAB.  The rules took effect on July 23, 2007.  The rules increase the recommended fee schedule for sign language interpreters.  Other amendments include housekeeping items as well as deletions or additions suggested by oral or written testimony.
 
A copy of the new rules are available 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.
 
For more information, contact Kristine Pagano, Communication Access Specialist, at kristine.pagano@doh.hawaii.gov or 586-8130 (tty).
 
CHIEF JUSTICE SIGNS JUDICIARY
RULES ON USE OF INTERPRETERS
 
The Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii adopted and promulgated the Hawaii Rules for Certification of Spoken and Sign Language Interpreters on July 11, 2007.  The rules establish a Court Interpreter Certification Program to provide quality interpreter services for persons who are limited in English proficiency (LEP) or deaf or hard of hearing in the Courts.
 
Any person involved in Hawaii State Court proceedings regardless of literacy or proficiency in English has the right to equal access to the courts and to services and programs provided by the Judiciary statewide. 
 
A copy of the rules is on file at the DCAB office. 
 
For more infomation, contact Kristine Pagano at kristine.pagano@doh.hawaii.gov or 586-8130 (tty).
NEW FACES IN COMMUNICATION ACCESS AT DCAB
Aloha to Heather Cottrell
 
DCAB says aloha to Heather Cottrell, DCAB’s Communication Access Technician, who left this summer to pursue a CPA degree and move into the business world.  Heather gave DCAB seven (7) years of hard work supporting DCAB’s communication access efforts by arranging for all our communication access needs (sign language interpreters, real time captioners, brailling, videoconferencing) as well as assisting with all aspects of DCAB’s interpreter credentialing test known as the Hawaii Quality Assurance System (HQAS) with applicants as well as our evaluators. Heather also produced this newsletter, Hai’ilono Kina, and performed in-house interpreting for staff. A tremendous amount of administrative work was handled by Heather and we will miss her presence sorely. We wish her well, in her new life as a CPA.
 
Welcome to Jacob Dalton
 
DCAB welcomes Jacob Dalton to the office as our new Communication Access Technician assuming the position formerly held by Heather Cottrell.  Because Jacob will be working full-time, compared to Heather’s less than full time status, Jacob will also be providing assistance to other members of DCAB’s Program and Policy Development Unit in addition to communication access.
 
Jacob is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) who attended Leeward Community College.  Jacob’s experience in his family will assist in working with Kristine Pagano, our Communication Access Specialist, and other members of our Board or the public who use American Sign Language.  We are eager to have Jacob on board our team.  You may reach Jacob at jacob.dalton@doh.hawaii.gov or through the DCAB office.
 
NEW DCAB BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED
 
DCAB welcomes two new Board members appoined by Governor Lingle to four-year terms on the DCAB Board beginning July 2007.Dorothy “Nani” Fife is a consumer who has low vision who represents herself and other persons with low vision in the community.  Nani is a manager with the City and County Workforce Development Program and  is very interested in furthering competitive  employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Nani is also active with the National Federation of the Blind, Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs, and the Office of Social Ministries.  Nani replaces Anthony Akamine, a two-term member of DCAB and its predecessor agency, the Commission on Persons with Disabilities. 
 
Correna “Sky” Pawn-White joins DCAB representing the Deaf and hard of hearing community.  Sky is currently a counselor and instructor at Kapiolani Community College.  Born and raised on Moloka‘i, Sky is very attuned to the needs of the local community.  With college experience at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and work experience for 6 years at a school in Texas, she will also bring knowledge from other localities. Sky replaces Francine Kenyon, a two-term member of both the Disability and Communicaiton Access Board and the Hawaii State Coordinating Council on Deafness. 
 
Mahalo to Anthony and Fran and welcome to Nani and Sky.
 
 
 
DCAB
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 101
Honolulu, HI    96814
 
PHONE
Oahu:    586-8121 v/tty
Kauai:   274-3141 v/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.