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Hawaii Association of the Blind |
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"advocating independence, equality and opportunity for the blind" |
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| Aloha! And Welcome to the home page of the Hawaii Association of the Blind. |
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| We are the State affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. | ||
| HAB welcomes DONATIONS to support its projects like scholarships, grants and training. Contact Ameila Cetrone for particulars. All donations are tax-deductible. | ||
(This site is BrailleNote-friendly. To view this site with the usual music background, please click here.)
Technology Photos-Audio-Video Archives
News & Announcements
On This Page
* HAB 45th Annual Convention
* Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program
* Ho'opono Video
* Ho’opono Job Club
* Social Security 3.6
Percent Benefit Increase for 2012
* Letters to HAB
HAB 45th Annual Convention
The hawaii Association of the Blind successfully celebrated its 45th Annual
Convention on Saturday, 11th March 2012 at the
Pagoda Hotel.The event was attended by numerous personalities - people in the
community who are concerned with issues about
the blind. These include teachers of visually impaired students, government
officials from Education Department, DVR,
Ho'Opono and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, other guests
and of course the blind individuals. Our
keynote speaker was Eric Bridges. He is the Director of Advocacy and
Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the
Blind. Robert Humphreys was also one of the speakers who expounded on the
Presidential Memorandum issued on 20 January 2012
in which President Obama explicitly voiced Federal support for the Randolph
Sheppard Vending Program for the Blind. Joe
Cordova spoke on behalf of Vocational Rehab, Lea Grupen for Ho'Opono Serices for
the Blind and Sue Sugimura for the
Library. Christian Yates updated the convention participants regarding matters
related to blind students and the
Department of Education.
The banquet dinner audience was addressed by Governor Neil Abercrombie who
stayed to break bread with HAB. As in the past,
monetary donations were handed to VI teachers from the different Hawaiian
islands. Likewise, cash donation was also
provided to Ho'Opono to help out the Student Summer Apprenticeship Program.
Blind Vendors Ohana who operates the newstands
at the Honolulu International Airport matched HAB's donation to Ho'Opono. The
banquet guests also listened to Eric Bridges
as he narrated how he as a blind student was able to overcome numerous
challenges and hurdles of blindness and succeed in life and now advocate for by
working as ACB's Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs.
We were able to capture the moment in audio for you to catch a glimpse of the
Convention and the banquet. Click on the
links below to have a listen:
1. Joe Cordova (DVR)
2. Sue Sugimura (LBPH)
3. Eric Bridges (ACB)
4. Robert Humphreys (RSVA)
5. Lea Grupen (Ho'Opono)
6. Christian Yates (DOE)
7. HAB Election
8. Resolution
9. Banquet - Governor
Neil Abercrombie
10. Banquet - Eric Bridges
Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release January 20, 2012
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Federal Support for the Randolph-Sheppard Vending
Facility Program
Thousands of Americans who are blind have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit
that helps define our Nation as a land of
opportunity. Through the Federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program
administered by the Department of Education,
talented and creative individuals who are blind have acquired
the management training and business skills necessary to realize the American
dream -- a lifetime of economic opportunity,
independence, and self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.
000For 75 years, blind business managers have successfully operated food
services and commercial ventures at Federal,
State, and private buildings and locations nationwide. We honor and celebrate
this program's historic achievements. We also
trust that the Randolph-Sheppard Program will continue to be a leading model for
providing high-quality entrepreneurial
opportunities for blind individuals. From a simple snack shop, to tourist
services at the Hoover Dam, to full food-services
operations at military installations, blind entrepreneurs have provided
exceptional customer service to Federal and State
employees,
the Armed Forces, and the general public. With proven ability, they have
challenged preconceived notions about disability.
The Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107 et seq.) created the Vending Facility
Program requiring qualified blind
individuals be given a priority to operate vending facilities on Federal
properties. This program is responsible today for
providing entrepreneurial opportunities for over 2,500 individuals who are
blind. In turn, these business managers have
hired thousands of workers, many of whom are individuals with disabilities.
Every American, including persons with
disabilities, deserves the opportunity to succeed without limits, earn equal pay
for equal jobs, and aspire to full-time,
career-oriented employment.
Continued support and cooperation are needed from executive departments,
agencies, and offices (agencies) to extend the
Randolph-Sheppard priority to qualified blind managers through the State
licensing agencies that implement the program.
Therefore, I direct all agencies that have property management responsibilities
to ensure that agency officials, when
pursuing the establishment and operation of vending facilities (including
cafeterias and military dining facilities) as
defined in
20 U.S.C. 107e, issue permits and contracts in compliance with the
Randolph-Sheppard Program and consistent with existing
regulations and law. I further direct the Secretary of Education, through the
Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services
Administration, to submit a report to the President on agencies' implementation
of the Randolph-Sheppard Program not later
than 1 year from the date of this memorandum.
This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit,
substantive or procedural, enforceable at
law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees,
or agents, or any other person.
The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized and directed to publish this
memorandum in the Federal Register
Barack Obama
Ho'opono Video
Ho'opono - Serving Hawaii's Blind & Visually Impaired
Ho'opono is a state service for Hawaii's blind and visually impaired to receive
training and support to better handle any
challenges that come with their visual impairments. From learning to read
Braille, moving around through proper mobility
and orientation, use of accessible technology such as talking computers and
getting a job.
Ho'opono produced a video of a few of their blind clients whom they have
assisted. Click on the link below to watch what
these grateful individuals have to say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg3uGyZX4tA&context=C3cbac6fADOEgsToPDskJSc5epMdMvSeCnY3zXY8hA
You can reach Ho'opono through the following:
1901 Bachelot Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 586-5275
Fax: (808) 586-5288
Web:
"Blindness is NOT a Barrier to Success!"
Ho’opono Job Club
What is a Job Club?
Job Club is an intensive job search program intended for Ho’opono consumers
actively looking for full-time or part-time employment consistent with the
consumer’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) goal.
In this program job seekers spend part of every meeting:
o Obtaining job leads
o Contacting employers
o Practicing interviewing skills
o Going on interviews
o Helping each other
You will learn and practice up-to-date job-finding skills from trained
vocational rehabilitation specialists, employment specialists, rehabilitation
teachers, and a diverse group of guest speakers and experts, all available to
assist in making sure members do not face the overwhelming task of finding a job
alone.
What will the Job Club provide a member?
o Job search (locally & nationally)
o Using professional social networking mediums to self-market and promote
oneself
o Resume writing/honing
o Assistance with interviewing skills
o Completing job applications
o A workspace where you can write letters, develop/edit resumes, & make phone
calls
o Accessible computers, photocopier, & a fax machine
o An employment team who help until you find a job
o Continued assistance if you should lose your job
o An environment that is fun but a working atmosphere where everyone can share
experiences and knowledge freely with other blind and visually impaired people
What is required to become a Job Club member?
The assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) will discuss the
purpose, requirements, and expectations of Ho’opono’s Job Club. Members must
abide by and meet the required requirements and expectations itemized below.
#1: Members must be job ready. Although the definition of job readiness is
different to many people, job readiness may be better defined by addressing the
unique situation of each consumer. Therefore, the job club team (made of ES,
assigned VRS, RTs) will work together to determine if each consumer is job ready
and make appropriate recommendations if necessary. The list below is not
intended to be an exhaustive checklist to determine job readiness, but can be
used as a tool to better assist the potential member of appropriateness for the
job club.
The consumer has addressed:
o His or her medical, legal, and independent living concerns
o Transportation to get to and from the interview and the job
o Acquired the skills or training that they can apply toward their potential job
o The basic skills to fill out a job application in writing and/or online
o A working resume or has the basic information to create a resume
o Interview clothing/grooming ready
o Work visas
o Substance abuse
#2: Members must have the genuine attitude, behavior, and willingness to
actively participate in the Job Club and all its activities in order to prepare
for, obtain, secure, maintain, or regain employment.
#3: Members must agree to keep all shared information confidential.
#4: Members must make a promise to each member that they are working together
for the success of each other and the success of the whole group.
How does a consumer become an active Job Club member?
Their assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) must refer the
consumer.
Lea Grupen, M.Ed.
Branch Administrator
Ho`opono Services for the Blind
1901 Bachelot Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 586-5275
Fax: (808) 586-5288
Social Security 3.6%
Benefit Increase for 2012
Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012
Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more
than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security
Administration announced today.
The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that
nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012.
Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on
December 30, 2011.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the
increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of
earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to
$110,100 from $106,800. Of the estimated 161 million workers who will pay Social
Security taxes in 2012, about 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of
the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2012, when announced, will be available
at http://www.Medicare.gov . For some beneficiaries, their Social Security
increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare
premiums.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more,
please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola .
# # #
A fact sheet showing the effect of the various automatic adjustments can be read
by visiting:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2012.htm
SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973
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Home Delivery For HAB members who have no time or unable to do their grocery shopping, you may dial (808) 590-2048 and look for George or Jackye Peacock - owners of AKAMAI grocery shopping & delivery service, who would be more than glad to be your personal shopper. Just give them a list of the items you need, the store where you want them bought and they will shop for you and deliver them right on your doorstep for a minimal delivery fee! Happy shopping! |
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| Copyright © 2004-2011 Hawaii Association of the Blind |
| 1255 Nuuanu Ave. #1102 |
| Honolulu, HI 96817, USA |
| Phone: (808) 521-6213 |
| Email: toyamaj005@hawaii.rr.com |