S.C.R. No. 141 Summary

• Requests the Department of Education accept the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) for teachers providing orientation and mobility services.

• Addresses a gap in services for blind students in Hawaii, as the Department of Education currently only accepts the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certification, which does not cover Structured Discovery Cane Travel methodology.

• Notes that the Hawaii Division of Vocational Rehabilitation already accepts NBPCB certification and employs blind adults certified by the NBPCB to provide orientation and mobility services.

• Identifies that parents of blind children have been denied requests for Structured Discovery Cane Travel services on Individualized Education Plans due to lack of certified providers in the Department of Education.

• Requires transmission of certified copies to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Board of Education Chairperson, Department of Education Superintendent, and relevant blindness advocacy organizations.