HI HR25

Urges the Department of Education to develop and implement an affirmative action program to recruit and employ qualified blind professionals as orientation and mobility instructors and teachers of visually impaired students.

Recognizes the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) credential administered by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board as qualifying blind instructors to teach the Structured Discovery Cane Travel method.

Notes that the DOE currently has no employees holding the NOMC credential and has historically relied on the vision-centered COMS certification, limiting employment opportunities for qualified blind instructors.

Requires the Superintendent of the Department of Education to submit a report to the legislature at least thirty days prior to the 2022 Regular Session detailing recruitment and employment progress of blind instructional staff.

Directs distribution of certified copies to the Governor, Board of Education, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Department of Human Services, and relevant blindness advocacy organizations.