HI HB1894

Hawaii Braille Literacy Education Act requires the Department of Education to provide braille instruction and braille instructional materials for eligible low vision or blind students through Section 504 plans and individualized education programs (IEPs).

Currently only about 10% of the 170 students registered with the American Printing House for the Blind in Hawaii receive braille services in their special education programs, while over 24,000 people statewide report low vision or blindness.

Section 504 plan and IEP teams must assess students' reading and writing needs using validated assessment tools, and braille services must be provided unless the team documents specific reasons why braille is not appropriate for the student.

Department of Education must provide braille literacy support services, cooperate with the Department of Human Services to maintain the state register of the blind, and inform parents/guardians about braille services and assistive technology options.

Appropriates an unspecified sum for fiscal year 2026-2027 to implement the Act, with an effective date of July 1, 3000.