NEXT MEETING
DATE: Wednesday, August 4, 2021
TIME: Noon to 2pm
WHERE: online, with ZOOM
The meeting will be a video conference, but people can also dial in by phone and use audio only.

• To attend online: Click the “invitation” link in August newsletter.

          It will bring you right in to the meeting.

• To dial in by phone: Call the toll free number and enter the meeting ID, both will be published in the August newsletter.
• If you have concerns about using Zoom, just write to us at info@disabilityrightshawaii.org and we’ll put you in touch with a coach.

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SUBSCRIBE TO THE DRH NEWSLETTER
Email your name and email address to
info@disabilityrightshawaii.org

Disability Rights Hawaii members marching in the Hilo Veterans Day Parade, November 2018.

OUR GOAL FOR HAWAII ISLAND:
Accessibility for All

Disability Rights Hawaii (DRH) is a grassroots non-profit civil rights organization incorporated in 1992. Our mission includes informing the public (and especially legislative officials) about the rights and needs of people with disabilities, encouraging our community to fully implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and working towards change in current life systems so that people with disabilities can be full and active members of our society.
 
We have regular bi-monthly meetings in which members of the public can bring forth problems they have experienced. We work towards solving these problems, and we invite people who can help with solutions (such as County officials) to meet with us. At present we have no paid staff; we are all volunteers.​

What's in a name?

Our organization name is similar to the names of a couple of disability agencies in Honolulu. To avoid confusion, here's how to tell them all apart:

• Disability Rights Hawaii (DRH) -- that's us.
• Hawaii Disability Rights Center (HDRC) -- that's the Hawaii Protection and Advocacy organization, in Honolulu
• Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) -- that's a State agency
  

Learn More about other groups below

Who We Are

Membership
Anyone who attends our meetings or is on our email mailing list (and receives our newsletter) is considered to be a member of the organization. There are no dues. Members nominate people to be on the DRH Board of Directors. Anyone who no longer wishes to be a member can ask to be removed from our mailing list.

Contact Us
The best way to get in touch or to request to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to our mailing list is by email at:
info@disabilityrightshawaii.org

Board of Directors
The board is elected in May of each year. Below is the list of board members for the 2020-21 year.

Linda Toms Barker (President)
Daniel Grant-Johnson (Vice President)
Ron Amundson (Secretary)
Laura Tobosa (Treasurer)
Kauila Haumea (Director-at-Large)

 

Announcements from members

‘Ohana Wa’a Laulima, a new paddling team, will include people with disabilities. The organization was formed to give people with disabilities an opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of a paddling team. This includes learning about the different chants and protocols around paddling. Their mission is to give people of all abilities a connection to the ocean and the Hawaiian culture by providing a safe environment where they can be on the water and learn more about the ocean and what it can provide.
There will be lifeguards along with other experienced paddlers at each session. Their goal is to have weekly sessions in various canoes beginning later this summer. Spread the word! They're looking for help getting the word out about the club  -- to the disabled community and the general public. They are looking for new participants as well as a new board member with links to the disabled community.

RESOURCES IN OUR STATE

Disability Rights Groups You Might Want to Know About

​The Hawaii Disability Rights Center (HDRC).  This is a federally mandated agency. Every state has one. Formerly called Protection and Advocacy, they adopted the name HDRC in the year 2000.  (Unfortunately it sounds just like our own name.) HDRC is in Honolulu. They have paid staff and attorneys on board. (We do not.) You would contact them if you feel that your rights have been violated and you need legal help to fight back. They will schedule you for a telephone interview before they accept your case. Don’t let the interview scare you away! They are friendly people, and eager to help. They just need to talk to you before they take your case.

If you need their help, here's how to reach them:
https://hawaiidisabilityrights.org
(808) 949-2928
(toll free) (1-800) 882-1057.

The Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) is the State agency that coordinates ADA and other Hawaii accessibility legal issues, especially for State agencies. Also not us. DCAB has little power over private accessibility complaints (restaurants, apartments, etc.), but they are very knowledgeable and may be able to answer your questions. They can help you with complaints about State Agencies.

DCAB contact information:
https://health.hawaii.gov/dcab/
(808) 586-8121
dcab@doh.hawaii.gov.

 

The Federal Department of Justice ADA site. Mostly educational, but you can file a complaint, and maybe the government will begin to pay attention at some time in the future.

United States Justice Department:
https://www.ada.gov/