HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 19, 2023 Minutes
William H. Farr
Mitchell D. Roth
Executive on Aging
Mayor
County of Hawai‘i
OFFICE OF AGING
Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
Minutes
June 19, 2023
Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1055 Kino‘ole Street, Suite 101, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-3872
Phone (808) 961-8600 ⬥ Fax (808) 961-8603 ⬥ Email: hcoa@hawaiiantel.net
West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi 96740
Phone (808) 323-4390 ⬥ Fax (808) 323-4398
Call to Order: Horace Farr (Executive on Aging) called the meeting to start at 12:34 p.m.
Members Present: Tiffany Dela Cruz, Michelle Hiraishi, Damon Molder, Sandra Schuffler
Members Excused: None
Members Unexcused: Zak Wittenhagen
County Staff: Horace Farr (Executive on Aging), Suzanna Tiapula (Corporation Counsel),
Ryan Caday (EO Officer/ADA Coordinator), Kelli A. Figueira (Office of Aging)
Interpreting Services (ASL) Present: Carrie Kaufmann and Dano Kaufmann, Kaufmann Interpreting Services
Topic/Agenda Item Discussion Action
Full interpretation provided by Kaufman Confirmation that all
1. Welcome and
Interpreting Services. Introductions request commissioners have been sworn
introductions:
and announcement of first official meeting by in prior to start of meeting.
Suzanna Tiapula. Assurance of name tags for
all members at next official meeting. Meeting Called to Order and
Roll call conducted. Members
acknowledged by Executive on
Aging, Horace Farr. Quorum met.
Chair: Damon “Hawk” Molder
2. Selection of New Nomination and Election of New Officers –
Vice Chair: Michelle Hiraishi
Officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer
Secretary/Treasurer:
Sandra Schuffler asked for clarification of Sandra Schuffler
responsibilities of various positions.
Horace Farr advised the Chair runs the Motion made by Michelle
meetings and the Office of Aging (HCOA) Hiraishi to accept nominations as
will provide support for minutes, posting the presented. Seconded by
agenda, and various meeting preparations. Damon “Hawk” Molder.
Suzanna provides legal support. Horace (4 ayes, 0 nays)
advised attendees to form and elect officers
Hawai`i County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. An Area Agency on Aging
for this committee in order to conduct
business.
No discussion. Minutes approved for Motion made by Vice Chair
3 Approval of
November 18, 2020 Michelle Hiraishi to approve
November 18 ,2020
minutes. Secretary/Treasurer
Meeting Minutes:
Sandra Schuffler seconded.
Motion passed
(4 ayes, 0 nays)
Chanel DePonte wished to provide Chair Damon “Hawk” Molder
4. Public Testimony
information and access issues for deaf, Deaf, opened the floor to Public
on Agenda Items:
& Hard of Hearing people. Most businesses Testimony on Agenda Items.
and medical providers actually reject us as
deaf individuals and we have to work with Vice Chair Michelle Hiraishi
them for equal access. Today we have equal addressed the public concern and
rights of ADA laws, but somehow the expressed intention on how the
community members are not doing their jobs County of Hawai’i can help as
and most deaf people have to voice for this committee has an ear to the
themselves. Mayor.
Christen Zulli expressed the same
frustrations and experience with non-verbal
mockery when presenting her disability and
needs. She suggests a public campaign over
social media to educate our service providers,
specifically medical providers on how to ask
what our needs are when presented with the
information; or to recognize symptoms of
certain disabilities in which the questions can
be asked pre-emptively.
Christen Zulli suggested a potential change to Suzanna Tiapula (Corporation
the current title of this Mayor’s committee. Counsel) suggested this as topic
(Recommendation: the Mayor’s Committee for the next agenda meeting in
on People’s with Disability and Chronic order to give public notice of
Illness). consideration.
Committee Member,
Tiffany Dela Cruz would like to
see more training for interpreters
and how to get training and
certification.
Suzanna Tiapula suggested
Kaufmann Interpreters can
participate in discussion at next
committee meeting as they are
currently interpreting at this
meeting.
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Chair Damon “Hawk” Molder
made a motion to move to the
Next Order of Business.
Vice Chair clarified not needing
to make a motion or vote each
time the committee moves to a
next order of business.
No Old Business
5. Old Business:
Re-introduction of Ryan Caday for
6. New Business: Update on County Resources from
those missing the last meeting.
EO Officer/ADA Coordinator
Ryan is vetted in the County of
Ryan Caday:
Hawai’i, Office of Human
Resources and deals with equal
opportunity issues and the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
If there are issues with access to
government or programs, Ryan
would work with the departments
to provide access and
accommodations. He also deals
with issues for COH employee
personnel. Opportunity provided
after the meeting for contact
information for Ryan Caday.
Motion to table agenda item #8
Mental Health, Advocacy and Resources:
by Vice Chair, Michelle Hiraishi.
Postponed to the next committee meeting
Seconded by Chair Damon
due to lack of formal participation by
“Hawk” Molder. (4 ayes, 0 nays)
community members seeking public input.
Motion carried. Mental Health,
Advocacy, and Resources
postponed to the next committee
meeting.
Autism & Advocacy and Resources:
Chair Damon “Hawk” Molder discussed if
someone is autistic and can’t communicate
with their doctor or workers in the
community, then they are completely left out
of participating in their own lives in the
world. “If we can’t be heard or understood,
then we can’t make any progress.”
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Chair Molder suggested that after the next
meeting when they talk about mental health,
they can discuss hearing issues and autism
and bundle them together in order to do an
awareness campaign (press releases,
newspapers, social media) to let the public
know this committee is back. “Awareness
and education are key elements.”
Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Schuffler shared
her participation in “Hele for Autism,”
indicating this was their biggest fundraiser
with increased exhibitor participation. Mayor
Roth has given 3 years of a Mayor’s
Proclamation, and the County Council has
given recognition. Secretary/Treasurer
Schuffler indicated they are doing their best
to have the community recognize that
autistic, hard of hearing, and mental health
individuals have a place and works to get
them into the general workforce.
Public member, Chanel DePonte added that
there are not enough resources for family
support with kids with disabilities. Most
teachers leave it up to the families or to the
professionals. “We need to figure out better
family support.”
Chair Molder shared an article read that 78%
of autistic families do not take vacations due
to lack of available resources to interact fully.
Maybe the committee could start looking at
having interpreters at events which could
make a difference to the hearing impaired.
Secretary Schuffler reminded the public and
committee that on July 1, 2023 there will be a
sensory friendly family film movie night:
Disney’s Elemental at the Prince Kuhio
Plaza. Persons on the autism spectrum are
admitted free. $14 general admission.
Chair Molder suggested next time this event
could be more inclusive to include anyone
with a disability; gets in for free.
Vice Chair Hiraishi suggested our bigger
goal is to develop quiet rooms where the
norm becomes a “sensory movie.” If you like
it quiet, one is able to rent/reserve a special
quiet room.
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Motion to table agenda item #10
Table Agenda Item #10 Resources and
by Vice Chair, Michelle Hiraishi.
Accommodations for d/DEAF/HARD –
Seconded by Secretary/Treasurer
OF-HEARING Populations: Postponed to
Sandra Schuffler.
the next committee meeting due to lack of
(4 ayes, 0 nays) Motion carried.
formal participation by community
Resources and Accommodations
members seeking public input.
for d/DEAF/HARD-OF-
HEARING Populations
Although tabled to the next committee
postponed to the next committee
meeting, Chair Molder opened up to
meeting.
comment/discussion for committee
members present. Testimony will be
allowed at the next meeting for those not
able to participate.
Public Member, Chanel DePonte shared there
are “Teachers For the Deaf,” who are
itinerant teachers providing support to
children within public schools who lack
interpretation and sign support. Although this
is not an island-wide service, it’s a very big
frustration to not have. “We send the kids to
school, but not enough Educational
Assistants (EI) following them. And it’s not
ok. We need to figure out how to retain more
people over here.”
Secretary/Treasurer Schuffler suggested Corporation Counsel, Suzanna
bringing this information to the State Dept. of Tiapula advised the committee to
Education and inviting someone from the prepare, meet, and discuss what’s
Dept. of Education (DOE) to offer input on available then invite the DOE to
this subject. come to the meeting.
Chair Molder shared he understands the
value of signing and has started learning to
sign on his own because of many non-verbal
autistic kids; and signing is a method for
them to communicate. He indicated he does
not have the ability to be both Chair and
Interpreter for meetings. Having an
interpreter at all meetings will greatly benefit
and improve future meeting steps and
actions.
Public Member, Chanel DePonte asked
committee to consider a language perspective
and consider the phrase:
d/Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing: d (physical
deafness), Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing (Deaf
Culture and Hard-of-Hearing). She indicated
use of the word impairment is not typically
used.
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Chair Molder added that it’s good to educate
ourselves. Similarly, we don’t refer to us as
‘people with autism,’ we refer to us as
‘autistic people.’ Autism has a connotation of
a disease. It is not a disease. It’s a
neurological disorder. We always need to be
able to address people so that they are
comfortable.
Chanel DePonte shared that she and her
daughter are deaf. At Kamehameha Schools
they don’t call it “disability.” They call it a
“Learner” because every child learns
differently. Learners because they’re learning
in very different ways, trials, activities, and
strategies.
Chair Damon “Hawk” Molder shared his
work with AbleGamers Organization.
They’re not disabled. They are able, They
just have to do it in a different way. We’re
not unable to do things, but with a
combination of patience and understanding
we are very able.
Vice Chair, Michelle Hiraishi shared that her
7. Announcements:
niece is participating in her second Special
Olympics in Berlin. Secretary Schuffler
shared there is another Hilo girl participating
in the Berlin Special Olympics.
Executive on Aging, Horace Farr, shared his
brother-in-law was excited and able to go
back to The Arc of Hilo this morning after a
long absence due to the covid pandemic.
Chair Molder announced he will start looking
at ways to encourage autistic people in public
service inspired by his own experience. He
wants to connect, encourage, and inspire
autistic people to participate in politics,
legislation, and public service. Autistic
Voices in Domestic Policy (AVID) is his
current project advocating education, raising
awareness, and increasing across the board
accessibility.
8. Vox Populi (Voice
of the People):
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1. Interpreter Training
9. Next Meeting Next Scheduled Meeting:
2. Demographics for Interpreter Training
Planned Topics: July 17, 2023
(Need, Number of Interpreters needed, How
Office of Aging
to provide better access).
1055 Kino’ole St. Ste. 101
3. Itinerant Educational Interpreters
Hilo, HI 96720
4. Mental Health, Advocacy and Resources
5. Resources and Accommodations for
d/DEAF/HARD-OF-HEARING Populations.
6. Committee Name Change/Adjustment
7. Meeting accessibility and discussion of
future possible meeting location change due
to need for consistent air conditioning,
accessibility to internet technology, parking,
etc.
Meeting adjourned at 1:48 pm Vice Chair Michelle Hiraishi
10. Adjournment:
made a motion to adjourn.
Member Schuffler seconded the
motion. (4 ayes, 0 nays)
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