RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, some children may require augmentative communication, especially when speech is not an effective mode of communication for the child; and

WHEREAS, American Sign Language is a beautiful visual-spatial language that provides many benefits to those who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as for hearing children; and

WHEREAS, American Sign Language provides another avenue of communication for children with special needs such as Down Syndrome, Autism, speech delays, and other physical and mental developmental defects; and

WHEREAS, meeting the nutritional needs of an infant or young child is an integral part of caring for their growth and development; and

WHEREAS, oral-motor mechanisms are involved in the feeding, sensory integration, postural tone, and overall health of the child, which is sometimes a challenge for children with oral-motor deficits, or swallowing disorders; and

WHEREAS, one of the primary goals of oral-motor treatment for children with oral-motor deficits is efficient and safe oral feeding for nutrition and the prevention of aspiration, as well as the development of coordinated movements for communication; and

WHEREAS, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association certification requirements recommend mandatory training for speech-language students in dysphagia or swallowing disorder therapy, as well as sign language instruction to benefit communication and services for the development and education of children who use sign language; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health are requested to coordinate sign language instruction within the University's special education, early childhood education, early intervention, and medical degree and certificate programs, with service providers and programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii is requested to continue the progress made with the cooperation of Kapiolani Community College's sign language interpreter education program and the University's Speech-Language and Pathology Departments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to authorize funds to expand Teleschool, especially for eligible preschool special education students who need time to develop at home in addition to receiving special education services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education provide video programs and curriculum such as Signing Time! to teach sign language with videos geared toward infants, toddlers, and young children, their families, and professionals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii, the Superintendent of Education, and the Director of Health.

Report Title:

American Sign Language