(1) Serve as a central coordinative clearinghouse of public and private activities relating to persons with disabilities and as repository and disseminator of activities and information relating to persons with disabilities.

(2) Review and assess the problems and needs, and the availability, of adequate services and resources for persons with disabilities in the State with regard but not limited to employment, education, health, social services, recreation, civil rights, public facilities, housing, vocational training and rehabilitation, and other matters pertinent to the well-being and independence of persons with disabilities.

(3) Conduct research, studies, data collection, and planning activities designed to provide additional information on persons with disabilities, with particular reference to specific needs of persons with disabilities, and to publicize the results thereof; to the extent that these functions do not duplicate or supplant activities provided by other federal, state, or county agencies.

(4) Advise and make recommendations to the State and the counties on matters relating to persons with disabilities, and on matters which affect persons with disabilities, including legislative matters.

(5) Develop short-and long-term goals in fulfilling the needs of persons with disabilities, to be undertaken by the commission in facilitating the coordination of services and programs for persons with disabilities.

(6) Educate the public and persons with disabilities on the problems, needs, potentials, and rights of persons with disabilities through affirmative public education programs.

(7) Seek improvements in existing systems to recognize specific needs of persons with disabilities.

(8) Serve as public advocate of persons with disabilities.

(9) Seek and receive funds and other forms of assistance from public and private sources to be used in providing improved circumstances for persons with disabilities in Hawaii.

(10) Initiate and maintain contact with public and private, local and national organizations, agencies, and individuals generally engaging in activities relating to persons with disabilities, or otherwise interested in the general or specific well-being of persons with disabilities.

(11) Administer funds allocated for its work, including disbursement and allocation of funds which may be available from public and private sources; provided that such disbursement and allocation shall be consistent with specific requirements thereof, or in the absence of designated requirements, consistent with the purpose of this chapter. The commission may require, in its discretion, matching participation by the recipients of disbursements and allocations hereunder. [L 1977, c 204, pt of §2; am L 1989, c 187, §4]