Requesting The Disability And Communication Access Board To Establish An American Sign Language Interpreter Workforce Working Group To Promote Increasing The Number Of American Sign Language Interpreters In The State.
The resolution aims to address the challenges related to the recruitment of qualified ASL interpreters, which has become increasingly difficult despite the growing demand for their services. By forming a dedicated workforce working group, the resolution seeks to develop a robust ASL interpreter workforce that can meet the needs of the community. The working group will not only promote the increase of ASL interpreters but also recommend necessary training and incentives to encourage more individuals to enter the profession.
HCR186 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature requesting the Disability and Communication Access Board to establish a working group focused on increasing the number of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in the state. The resolution highlights the growing need for ASL interpretation services due to an increase in requests made to interpreter referral agencies, emphasizing the crucial role interpreters play in facilitating communication between deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and hearing individuals across various sectors, including education and emergency services.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding HCR186 is positive. Supporters recognize the importance of ASL interpreters in promoting accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with hearing disabilities. The establishment of a working group is viewed as a proactive step towards improving communication access statewide, resulting in enhanced services for those who rely on ASL interpretation. Stakeholders, including advocacy groups, are likely to appreciate the focus on workforce development in the ASL interpreting field.
While there appears to be broad support for the initiative, potential points of contention may arise around the allocation of resources and funding necessary to implement the recommendations proposed by the working group. Additionally, the effectiveness of the proposed measures to increase the number of ASL interpreters will need to be monitored closely to ensure that they adequately address the underlying issues of accessibility and recruitment in the field.