STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1751-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.C.R. No. 296

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 296 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT SIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION BE COORDINATED,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to ensure that blind and visually-impaired children have the opportunity to sign language by:

(1) Requesting that the University of Hawaii (UH), Department of Education (DOE), and Department of Health coordinate sign language instruction within UH's special education, early childhood education, early intervention, and medical degree and certificate programs, with service providers and programs;

(2) Requesting DOE to authorize funds to expand Teleschool, especially for eligible preschool special education students who need time to develop at home; and

(3) Requesting DOE to provide video programs and curriculum that help children, as well as families and professionals, learn sign language.

 

Several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The UH Community Colleges and UH-Kapiolani Community College supported the intent of this measure. DOE opposed this measure.

Your Committees wish to note that these sign language instruction services are intended to be supplemental rather than required services under Individualized Education Programs. For example, the expansion of Teleschool for eligible preschool special education students is intended to make another vehicle of learning available to hearing-impaired children, augmenting their education.

The services are also meant to be extended to individuals who are neither deaf nor hearing impaired.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 296 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Education,

 

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ROY TAKUMI, Chair

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TOMMY WATERS, Chair