Communication Access E-Newsletter

Disability and Communication Access Board

 

State of Hawaii

Spring Edition                                          March 2012 

Volume 2, Issue 1  

Standing Committee on Communication Access Members 

Chair, Ann Ito
Ed Chevy
Tamar Lani   

Dr. Lucy Miller
Dr. Lawrence Scadden

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Disability and

Communication  

Access Board

919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 101

Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

 

Phone Numbers:

Oahu: (808) 586-8121 (V/TTY)
(808) 586-8129 (Fax)

email:  dcab@doh.hawaii.gov

Maui:  (808) 984-2400

ext. 6-8121

 

Kauai:  (808) 274-3141

ext. 6-8121

 

Big Island:  (808) 974-4000
ext. 6-8121

 

Molokai and Lanai: 

1(800) 468-4644

 

Visit our Website

 

 

NEW Hawaii Quality Assurance System  

Continuing Education Program  

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The Disability and Communication Access Board will administer and implement effective February 2012 the new Hawaii Quality Assurance System (HQAS) Continuing Education Program.  The HQAS Continuing Education Program is available to sign language interpreters who currently hold the HQAS credential.  HQAS interpreters have the option to retake the HQAS test or participate in the continuing education program and earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain his/her credential for two years. 

 

The purpose of the HQAS Continuing Education Program is to provide interpreters the opportunity to develop and increase knowledge and competency in the interpreting field while maintaining their credential.  The interpreter can retake the HQAS to earn a higher competency level or apply for the National Interpreter Certificate (NIC).  To participate in the HQAS Continuing Education Program, the application fee is $100.00. 

 

Continuing education units are earned through two types of fields: Professional and General Studies.  These studies assure the public that interpreters are trained with the necessary skills to meet the definition of a qualified interpreter under the Americans with Disabilities Act in providing effective communication.

 

For more information, please contact Kristine Pagano, Communication Access Specialist by phone at (808) 447-1397 or email, kristine.pagano@doh.hawaii.gov.   

 

 
DCAB responds to the U.S. Access Board rule

The DCAB submitted supportive comments to the U.S. Access Board Second Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (ANPRM) - Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards for Section 508.

The U.S. Access Board sought comments regarding the Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards.  The draft rule is a continuation of the updating its standards for electronic and information technology, which applies to federal agencies and its guidelines for telecommunications accessibility, which applies to telecommunications manufacturers.

For a copy of the testimony, please contact Communication Access Specialist, Kristine Pagano by email, kristine.pagano@doh.hawaii.gov or phone, (808) 447-1397. 
 

Filming Production to Begin in March  

The Standing Committee on Communication Access will develop a series of educational online videos about the Americans with Disabilities Act in American Sign Language (ASL).

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act changed and included requirements that affect people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  The online videos with captions will inform them about those changes to become a better advocate. 

 

The first video entitled, "Americans with Disabilities Act Title III - Effective Communication in Medical Settings" will start filming at the end of March.   

 

For more information, please contact DCAB Board member Ed Chevy by email, dcab@doh.hawaii.gov.

 

Time to submit your taxes!

The Internal Revenue Services developed a series of videos in American Sign Language (ASL) to educate the Deaf and Hard of Hearing about their services.   

 

To view the ASL videos, please visit the Internal Revenue Services website:    

 

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204170,00.html  

 

The deadline to submit your taxes is
Tuesday, April 17, 2012. 
 
Hawaii Quality Assurance System (HQAS) 

The Hawaii Quality Assurance System (HQAS) was established in 2000 and offers sign language interpreters who do not hold national certification an opportunity to obtain credentials valid within and recognized by the State of Hawaii. 

 

The next HQAS test is April 9 and 10, 2012.
The deadline to apply is March 30, 2012. 

 

Two or more candidates who live on the neighbor islands may take the HQAS or HQAS+H test on their respective island.   

 

For more information, please contact Kristine Pagano, Communication Access Specialist, by phone at (808) 447-1397 or email, kristine.pagano@doh.hawaii.gov.

 
Job Announcement

 

Signs of Self (SOS) Independent Living Specialist position is available to applicants who are interested to provide and coordinate supports to enable Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind consumers to live independently.    

 

Send resume and letter of interest to Scott O'Neal, Program Director by March 23, 2012 at 1481 South King Street, #54, Honolulu, HI 96814. 

 

For more information about job announcement, please contact  SOS Program Director, Scott O'Neal by phone, (808) 382-3881 (v/txt) or (808) 442-6449 (vp). 

 

 
Calendar of Events
March - June 2012 

  

March 26, 2012

State Holiday:  Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day

DCAB office closed

 

April 6, 2012

State Holiday:  Good Friday 

DCAB office closed

  

April 7, 2012

Aloha State Association of the Deaf  

GEM Town Hall

Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind cafeteria  

3440 Leahi Avenue

Honolulu, HI  96815 

10:00 a.m. to 12 noon

 

For more information, contact Laura Raiola, Corresponding Secretary by email, asadcorsec.hawaii@gmail.com.

  

April 21, 2012

Special Parent Information Network

"SPIN The Case for Evidence Based"

UH Campus Center  

2500 Campus Road

Honolulu, HI  96822 

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  

Website:  www.spinhawaii.org  

 

For more information, please contact SPIN by email, spin@doh.hawaii.gov or phone, (808) 586-8126.   

 

May 28, 2012
State Holiday:  Memorial Day 
DCAB office closed

June 11, 2012
State Holiday:  King Kamehameha I Day  
DCAB office closed

June 13 to 17, 2012:

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

2012 Region V Conference 

"Ohana: Celebrating Our Ties"

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

2552 Kalakaua Avenue

Honolulu, HI  96815-3699  

 

To download the conference registration form  

or register online, please visit:

http://www.rid.org/conferences/calendar/index.cfm/AID/191StartSelection:0000000199 

 

For more information, please contact  

Heather Benjamin  

by email, heather.interpreter@gmail.com

    

 

About the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB)

 

The mission of the DCAB is to advocate and promote the full integration, independence, equal access, and quality of life for persons with disabilities in society.