Draft Annual Report to the Mayor

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 Establish a satellite program on the Big Island to mirror the services provided by the Comprehensive Service Center (CSC) on Oahu, which focuses on the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communi?es.  Collaborate with the Department of Human Services to launch a pilot program for blind and low vision services on the neighbor islands, ensuring greater accessibility to essen?al services. 5. Elec?ons Accessibility Needs Advisory Commi?ee:  We recommend establishing the Elec?ons Accessibility Needs Advisory Commi?ee. Its purpose would be to ensure equal and independent access to voter registra?on, the cas?ng of ballots, and all other services provided by the county's elec?on division. This commi?ee will work closely with MCPD to safeguard the vo?ng rights of individuals with disabili?es. 6. Paratransit Services Island-wide:  We recommend that Hawaii County Mass Transit work with individual members of the MCPD to improve paratransit op?ons for individuals with disabili?es across the island. This collabora?on will ensure that public transporta?on is accessible and be?er meets the needs of disabled residents. 7. Female-Speciﬁc Disabili?es and Chronic Illnesses:  Women with disabili?es face unique challenges, especially when dealing with chronic health condi?ons like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Polycys?c Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, Perimenopause, and Menopause. Resources for Female-Speciﬁc Disabili?es and Chronic Illnesses Women with disabili?es face unique challenges, especially when dealing with chronic health condi?ons like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Polycys?c Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, and Perimenopause, among others. A brief assessment of resources on the Big Island revealed limited access to specialized care and support groups focused on these condi?ons. Key Findings:  There is a signiﬁcant gap in visibility and availability of support services and medical professionals who specialize in female-speciﬁc disabili?es.  Women with disabili?es are less likely to access employment opportuni?es and report lower levels of educa?onal a?ainment than their male counterparts.  Many medical providers fail to market their services in ways that eﬀec?vely communicate their exper?se in female-speciﬁc disabili?es and chronic illnesses. Recommenda?ons:  Increase outreach and visibility for health providers specializing in female-speciﬁc disabili?es.  Encourage the crea?on of support groups for women dealing with condi?ons like endometriosis, PMDD, and PCOS on the Big Island.