HI SR94

Urges the Department of Education to establish requirements for instructional staff working with children with disabilities to incorporate sign language and other communication methods during instruction.

References the Department's 2007 report recommending a "total communication program" using sign language, oral communication, and visual cues to facilitate language development in children with disabilities.

Calls for the Department to provide professional development and training for educational personnel and sign language interpreters to develop total communication and sign language skills for instructing both hearing and deaf/hard of hearing students.

Notes that current Department procedures limit sign language interpretation services primarily to deaf or hard of hearing students, despite the 2007 report recommending broader application to all students with disabilities.

Requires certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Board of Education Chairperson, Superintendent of Education, Special Education Advisory Council, and Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association.