HI SCR5

Request Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to accept National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) for Department of Education teachers providing orientation and mobility services

Department of Education currently lacks employees certified by NBPCB and only accepts Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certification, limiting provision of Structured Discovery Cane Travel services

Hawaii Division of Vocational Rehabilitation already accepts NOMC from NBPCB for orientation and mobility services, with all current providers being blind adults certified by NBPCB

Blind children in Hawaii are underserved in orientation and mobility instruction, reducing their opportunity to participate equally with sighted peers and limiting development of independence and confidence

Require transmission of certified copies to Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Board of Education Chairperson, Department of Education Superintendent, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board Chair, and relevant blindness professional organizations