ACCESS E-BULLETIN
Disability and Communication Access Board

Edition #2                                                                                                  December  2007
In This Issue
Conference Wrap-Up Greetings
Governor's Luncheon Message
2007 Accessibility Design Awards
Keynote Speaker: Edward Steinfeld
Keynote Speaker: Russ Saito
Closing Thank You!
Quick Links
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Disability and Communication Access Board
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
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Web site: www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab    
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ext. 6-8121# (Voice)

 

2007 Disability Access Conference Wrap-Up
 
With much aloha, the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) would like to thank all those who attended the 2007 Disability Access Conference: "Design for All" held on September 6, 2007 at the Ala Moana Hotel. 

        attendees

The conference was a great success with 243 people attending the event that was initially planned for 200. Professionals such as state and city facility management staff, architects, planners and engineers, came together for the all-day conference.

Sixteen concurrent workshop sessions focused on topics such as Residential Design, Urban Planning, Public Rights-of-Way, Outdoor Recreation and Facility Access.  In addition to local professionals, many mainland speakers, including the U.S. Access Board presented at this year's conference.

Some of the comments from our conference attendees:

"Excellent, vital information; great conference."
"Great to hear from project managers implementing in the real world the challenges of putting design into reality and working with consultants and contractors."
"Great examples to implement accessibility and universal design features."
"Personal story of the co-speaker really got the point across in conveying session subject."


The eventful day included the following highlights:


Governor's Luncheon Message
 
      Gov Lingle

Governor Linda Lingle spoke at the luncheon addressing this year's topics: "Aging in Place", "Livable Communities", and "Emergency Shelter" and their  relevance, given the state's and nation's aging population.  She appreciated the Disability and Communication Access Board's continued dedication to foster education and assistance for persons with disabilities.
 
2007 Accessible Design Awards
 
        Award Winners

In addition to her message, Governor Linda Lingle and Dr. Chiyome Leinaala Fukino, Director of the Department of Health, presented the first "Accessible Design Awards."

The design awards were given to various firms, individuals and government agencies that addressed accessibility within the living and working environments. DCAB invites everyone to view photos of the award winning entries on our Access E-Bulletin Quick Links.
Keynote Speaker:
Edward Steinfeld
 
Our breakfast keynote speaker, Dr. Edward Steinfeld, Professor of Architecture at the New York State University in Buffalo and the Director of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access, spoke on the importance of supportive built environments that benefit everyone. He presented the philosophy behind this concept by using examples such as policy development, regulatory activities, design practices and also outlined agendas for increasing the use of universal design principles by government, community organizations, business design professionals and individuals.
 
Keynote Speaker:
Russ Saito
 
      Russ Saito
 

Mr. Russ Saito, the State of Hawaii's Comptroller and Director for the Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services, spoke at this year's luncheon on the Statewide Model Building Code. Mr. Saito also addressed the formation of a new Statewide Model Building Code Council which will be tasked with researching, reviewing and selecting a model building code.
 
Closing Thank You!
 
The full day conference presented an opportunity for individuals and design professionals to learn, share ideas, and to promote exemplary design practices that create social and physical environments, which successfully integrate imaginative solutions and diversity for all  individuals.

      DCAB Staff

Once again, we at the Disability and Communication Accesss Board would like to thank you for your participation and we look forward to seeing you on October 16, 2008 at our upcoming 2008 Disability Access Conference!