Communication Access E-Newsletter

Disability and Communication Access Board

 

State of Hawaii

Fall Edition                                 September 2013  Volume 4, 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:  [email protected]

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

 

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Free Seminar on September 17, 2013 

The U.S. Access Board and Disability and Communication Access Board presents a free seminar, "Access to Communication Systems" on September 17, 2013 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Ward Warehouse, Building D, Kakaako Conference Room, 2nd floor, 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Free parking is available in the parking garage, levels 3 and up.  Parking in stalls in front of shops is prohibited. 

DCAB welcomes the presenter, Rex Pace, who is the technical assistance coordinator for the U.S. Access Board, to Honolulu. He will present current information about communication access products in various environments: Classroom Acoustics, Assistive Listening Systems, Drug Container Labels, ATMs, and Fare Machines and other communication methods.

Rex Pace joined the Access Board in April 2011 as a senior accessibility specialist and serves as its technical assistance coordinator. In this capacity, he oversees the agency's provision of technical assistance to the public on accessible design and the Board's ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines, including its toll-free help line and development of published guidance.

 

If you are interested to attend, please contact Kristine Pagano, Communication Access Specialist by phone, (808) 447-1397 or email, [email protected]


 
American Sign Language Videos

Three (3) educational online videos about the Americans with Disabilities Act in American Sign Language (ASL) are posted online at www.dcabasl.com  

The first video, entitled "Americans with Disabilities Act Title III - Effective Communication in Medical Settings," showcases a Deaf woman requesting a sign language interpreter for her doctor's appointment and asserting her rights by educating her doctor about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The second video, entitled "Americans with Disabilities Act Title III - Effective Communication in Medical Settings," showcases a Deaf man researching with his medical insurance company about provisions of sign language interpreters for his medical appointments.  With the information he learned about his medical insurance coverage, he makes a dental appointment and educates the dentist office about the Americans with Disabilities Act and his medical insurance coverage.

The last educational video focuses on communication access to obtain a driver's permit and license.  A Deaf woman communicates with the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) staff using various communication methods.  She used written notes, requested for an ASL interpreter and gestures to communicate with the DMV staff.  This video showcases different effective communication access to a local government program and service provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II.

The DCAB would like to thank the actors and production crew who made the public service films a success.

For more information, please contact Communication Access Specialist Kristine Pagano by email, [email protected].    
 
Hawaii Quality Assurance System
Continuing Education Program


The Disability and Communication Access Board administered and implemented in 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 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.  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.


Since its inception, the HQAS Continuing Education Program has eighteen (18) interpreters participating in the program.  The first cycle of the program will end on November 30, 2013.  A new two-year cycle will begin January 1, 2014.

The DCAB appreciates the 18 local interpreters participating in the program to maintain their credential and increase their knowledge and competency in the interpreting field.  Because of the large turnout, DCAB will continue to support and provide workshops for CEU opportunities.

For more information about the program, please contact Communication Access Specialist Kristine Pagano by email, [email protected].     



Professional Development Workshops for
Sign Language Interpreters
 

The Disability and Communication Access Board will sponsor a series of medical terminology and anatomy workshops for sign language interpreters.    

  

The first course will be held on October 4, 5, 11, and 12, 2013.  The course will be provided by a Professor of Health Sciences, Sally Pestana from the Kapiolani Community College.  Registration is free, however there is $40.00 medical textbook fee.  

 

Ms. Pestana has taught the secrets of learning medical technology for 30 years. Sally has a strong reputation for making medical terminology both fun and interesting.   


The sixteen (16) hour course is designed to decrease the intimidation an interpreter may feel by medical terms. Sign language interpreters will complete this course with an appreciation for the importance of medical terminology, a thorough understanding of how medical terms are created and how they can be translated and used in their interpreting field.

  

The second professional development workshops will be held on January 10 and 11, 2014.  Topics include, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Ethics/Informed Consent, and Medical Terminology and Anatomy.     

 

The January workshops will be provided by Todd Agan who is the Lead Designated Interpreter for the Division of Hospital Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.  He is also an adjunct professor in the interpreter-training program at San Antonio College.  


Sign language interpreters are in for treat as his workshops will be presented in American Sign Language (ASL).    

 

DCAB welcomes Sally Pestana and Todd Agan to the local Deaf and sign language interpreters communities.   

  

The October and January trainings will be held at the Ward Warehouse, Building D, Kakaako Conference Room, 2nd floor, 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, Hawaii. 


Free parking is available in the parking garage, levels 3 and up.  Parking in stalls in front of shops is prohibited.     

 

DCAB would like to thank the Hawaii Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. for their co-sponsorship to provide pupus and drinks during the October and January workshops.  

 

Continuing education units will be provided to 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 about the workshops or to register,
please contact Communication Access Specialist Kristine Pagano by email, [email protected].     

  

  
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 November 12 and 13, 2013.
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2013. 

 

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

 

Congratulations to the following interpreters who recently received their HQAS credentials.

 

Cherie Gaither, Level IV
Scott O'Neal, Level IV+H

 

For more information, please contact Kristine Pagano, Communication Access Specialist, by phone at (808) 447-1397 or email, [email protected].

 
Calendar of Events

  

September 14, 2013 

Department of Human Services 

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board     

General Board Meeting  

Tokai University

2241 Kapiolani Blvd., Room 802

Honolulu, HI  96826 

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

For more information,  

please contact LisaAnn Tom by email,

 [email protected] 

 

September 17, 2013 

Disability and Communication Access Board

Standing Committee on Communication Access Meeting

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Queen Liliuokalani Center for Student Services

Ground Floor, Room 012

2600 Campus Road 

Honolulu, HI  96822 

For more information, please contact Kristine Pagano by phone, (808) 447-1397 or email,

[email protected] 

 

September 17, 2013 

Access to Communication Systems   

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

The Ward Warehouse - Building D

Kakaako Conference Room, 2nd Floor

1050 Ala Moana Boulevard

Honolulu, HI  96814 

For more information, please contact DCAB by phone (808) 586-8121 or email,

 [email protected] 

 

October 4, 5, 11 and 12 

Medical Terminology for

 Sign Language Interpreters Course 

The Ward Warehouse - Building D

Kakaako Conference Room, 2nd Floor

1050 Ala Moana Boulevard

Honolulu, HI  96814 

For more information, please contact Kristine Pagano by phone (808) 447-1397 or email,

[email protected]  

 

October 19, 2013

Hawaii Relay Advisory Council

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact LisaAnn Tom by email, [email protected] 

 

October 29, 2013

Hawaii Civil Rights Commission  

Celebrating 50 years of Fair Employment Law in Hawaii EEO Updates and Non-discriminatory Recruitment and Hiring in a Recovering Economy 

Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, Pikake Room  

777 Ward Avenue

Honolulu, HI  96814 

7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

$25.00 per person, parking not included

Deadline to register October 15, 2013

For more information, please contact Cathy Simmons by phone (808) 586-8659 or  

website, http://labor.hawaii.gov/hcrc/event/october-29-2013-public-training/   

 

November 9, 2013

Relay Hawaii 10th Anniversary Celebration

Japanese Cultural Center

Manoa Grand Ballroom 

2454 South Beretania Street

Honolulu, HI  96826

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Validated Parking: $5.00 

RSVP by October 9, 2013  

For more information, please contact LisaAnn Tom, by email, [email protected] or website, http://www.relayhawaii.com  

 

November 11, 2013

State Holiday: Veteran's Day

DCAB office closed

 

November 19, 2013 

Disability and Communication Access Board

Standing Committee on Communication Access Meeting

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Queen Liliuokalani Center for Student Services

Ground Floor, Room 012

2600 Campus Road 

Honolulu, HI  96822 

For more information, please contact Kristine Pagano by phone, (808) 447-1397 or email,

[email protected]  

November 28, 2013

State Holiday: Thanksgiving  

DCAB office closed

 

December 25, 2013 

State Holiday: Christmas 

DCAB office closed

 

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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.