WHEREAS, Federal regulations have reorganized rehabilitation services so as to abolish Divisions for the Blind, which are a long-standing tradition; and

WHEREAS, special services for the blind were established because blind people have unique needs and because the blind are a small minority of the disabled population, and thus specialized services should be required in order that blind people be adequately served; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii, like other forward-thinking states, has maintained special rehabilitation services for the blind and the deaf; and

WHEREAS, the rehabilitation services for the blind and the deaf were established in order to empower people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the nation's blind and deaf are realistically fearful that rehabilitation services will become far less effective under the revised federal regulations; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the State of Hawaii continue to maintain present standards in rehabilitation services so that the blind and the deaf are not thrust aside; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of Hawaii, to the Director of Human Services, and to each member of the Hawaii State Legislature.

Report Title:

Maintaining Rehabilitation Services