Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Health and Human Services and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was recommitted S.B. No. 302, S.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a new chapter mandating universal access to information technology equipment and software of the State or any state-assisted organization for the blind and visually impaired.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Assistive Technology, Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, United Cerebral Palsy of Hawaii, and a private citizen. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committee finds that the information superhighway has transformed the activities of daily living for millions of people. We use information for health, recreation, transportation, finance, and a host of other independent living needs. Like the telephone before it, people with disabilities have begun to depend on the information technology that brings the world to their doorstep. This measure will give people with disabilities the same opportunity to participate equally in our information world.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Health and Human Services and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 302, S.D. 1, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.