Committee advances study on communication access for deaf and deaf-blind patients

The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness moved SCR 63 SD1 forward after hearing testimony that hospital and clinic practices can leave people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind without effective communication during care.

Christine Pagano of the Disability and Communication Access Board told the committee the board will sponsor the study and look at "what technology, what services can improve what has been done so far," saying the effort is "critical for the people with communication access needs." Pagano emphasized that individuals have unique needs and the study will identify similarities and differences to better match services.

Family testimony underscored the stakes. Nikki Kepo'o, who identified herself as "a mother of a deaf son," described a friend, Paul Ilo, who after a massive stroke could not reliably access ASL interpretation; she said interpreters were limited to certain hours and providers treated minimal verbal exchanges as adequate communication. "You don't know when he may need that help," Kepo'o said, urging the committee to "please push this bill forward."

The chair recorded organizational support on the record, including written testimony by the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and the Comprehensive Service Center for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind, and said the committee would move the resolution forward to the next stage.

The committee advanced SCR 63 SD1; the measure was recorded as recommended to pass as is and will proceed per the committee process.