ACCESS E-BULLETIN
Disability and Communication Access Board
State of Hawaii
 
Edition #18                                                                                    May 2009
In This Issue
Accessibility will be a Required Part of Recovery Act Projects
Making Life Accessible Through Technology
2009 Call for Nominations
State Building Code Council Investigative Committees
FAQ - ADAAG
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Disability and Communication Access Board
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Oahu:
(808) 586-8
121 (Voice/TTY)  (808) 586-8129 (FAX)
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab    
Call toll free from:
Big Island:
974-4000, ext. 6-8121# (Voice)
Kauai: 274-3141, ext. 6-8121# (Voice)
Maui:  984-2400, ext. 6-8121# (Voice)
Molokai & Lanai: 
1(800) 468-4644,
ext. 6-8121# (Voice)


Accessibility will be a Required Part of Recovery Act Projects
 
The recent stimulus bill, known as the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," provides funds for a wide array of projects and programs to jump start the economy and create jobs. It is important that the various Federal agencies responsible for the spending and distribution of funds and the recipients receiving the funds comply with all applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), and Rehabilitation Act.  Standards issued under these laws include the ADA standards for State and local government facilities, places of public accommodation and commercial facilities, and transportation facilities and the ABA standards for federally funded facilities.  The nature and scope of projects and the funding involved determines which accessibility standard to apply.  Further guidance to determine which accessibility standard applies to your Recovery Act project can be found on the U.S. Access Board's website at http://www.access-board.gov/recovery/
and the U.S. Department of Justice's website at www.ada.gov/reinvestact.htm

 

 

~ FREE EVENT~

 
June 2, 2009
Neal S. Blaisdell Center
Exhibition Hall - Hawaii Suite & Meeting Rooms
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC), Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB), DBTAC-Pacific ADA Center and AARP will host the assistive technology fair "Making Life Accessible Through Technology" which is free and open to the public. 
 
The technology fair will include several keynote speakers and a panel discussion in the morning.  In the afternoon there will be exhibitors displaying various technology products to enhance and improve the lives of people with disabilities, and workshops that include a computer lab for kids, an assistive technology lab, Chaminade University student presentations and awards, mini film festival, and home modification.
 
The home modification workshops will provide information about making your home more accessible for family members who are elderly or have various physical impairments and limitations. The first workshop will focus on understanding the general concepts of universal design and how these concepts provide for aging in place.  The second workshop will use case studies to show how universal design and aging in place concepts are applied in a home modification project.  The third workshop will demonstrate how low and high tech devices can improve quality of life within an existing home or after a home modification project.
 
For further information visit the conference website at www.hawaiiatconferences.com

2009 Call for Nominations
Deadline: May 15, 2009
2009 DAC Graphic (AEB)
Do you know of a building or facility that provides a functional solution to a barrier? Do you know of a building that provides or promotes access for all?  Do you know of an accessible project that you feel is exemplary, creative and/or aesthetically pleasing?

If so, tell us about one that you think should be recognized.  DCAB is seeking nominations for the 2009 Accessible Design Awards.  Anyone can nominate a building or facility by filling out a nomination form and sending it to us.

Nomination forms are available at DCAB's homepage: Call for Nominations Form


Any questions, please contact Mona Higa or Laurie Palenske at [email protected]  [email protected]
State Building Code Council Investigative Committees
 
The State Building Code Council (SBCC) has created an Investigative Committee on Accessibility and has asked DCAB to oversee that Committee as staff regularly attends and monitors the meetings of the State Building Code Council.  DCAB  also participates in the SBCC's Investigative Committee for the International Building Code, Residential Building Code and Existing Building Code. DCAB has reviewed the various 2006 International Codes' accessibility related provisions and has submitted proposed amendments to the SBCC's Investigative Committee to be included as part of their submittal to the State Building Code Council.

For more information please contact Mona Higa at [email protected]
FAQ - ADAAG

Q: When are areas of rescue assistance required? (ADAAG 4.3.11)

A: In new construction, ADAAG requires accessible means of egress in the same number as required for exits by the local life safety regulations.  Where direct exit discharge cannot be provided, such as from floors above or below grade, areas of rescue assistance are required, unless a supervised automated sprinkler system is provided. They are not required in altered buildings.