S.R. No. 6 Summary

• 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 that the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) credential, which teaches Structured Discovery Cane Travel methods, historically emphasizes employing blind instructors, while the vision-centered approach emphasizes sighted instructors, limiting employment opportunities for qualified blind persons.

• Requires the Superintendent of Education to submit a report to the legislature at least thirty days before the 2022 Regular Session detailing steps taken and progress made in recruiting and employing blind instructors.

• Directs transmission of certified copies to the Governor, Board of Education, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Department of Human Services, and organizations representing blind professionals and advocacy groups.