Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/04/1998 09:00 AM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 19 - COUNCIL OF DEAF/HARD OF HEARING/DEAF/BLIN
DAN SADDLER, staff to Representative Bunde, sponsor of HCR 19, read
the sponsor's statement into the record. In summary, HCR 19 offers
recognition and encouragement to a volunteer non-profit
organization dedicated to improving the quality of services
available to Alaska's deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind
citizens. The Alaska Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deafblind Council
(ADC) has been operating for three years; its membership consists
of several non-profit organizations operating in Southeast,
Southcentral, and Interior Alaska. The council acts as a library
and forum where information about services is available for
consumers and providers. The resolution does not create a new
council, and will not cost the State a penny. Also, it does not
establish the Council as the sole voice of this population, and
does not bar any other organization from providing any services it
might want to.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt SCSHCR 19(HES), version F, as the
working document of the committee. There being no objection, the
motion carried.
Number 365
DWAYNE FRENCH, Director of the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, Department of Education (DOE), testified in full
support of HCR 19, version F. DOE has recognized the ADC as one of
the significant members of the Deaf Services Committee of the
Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People
with Disabilities. He commended Representative Bunde and his staff
for putting the resolution forward and he urged passage of it.
SENATOR GREEN noted there was more disagreement among the groups
related to services for the deaf than any other group when she sat
on the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education.
She asked if any group has opposed or has questions about this
Council. MR. FRENCH said he has not heard any opposition to this
group at all.
NAN TRUITT stated she is a paralegal for Attorney Richard Kibby,
the owner of a restaurant with a large deaf clientele, and a board
member of Caption Alaska, a non-profit organization that started
bringing captioned movies to Alaska for the deaf and hard-of-
hearing. She expressed concern about the isolation experienced by
deaf people and believes one way to decrease isolation is to
increase communication. She stated her support for HCR 19.
RICHARD KIBBY, an attorney who has represented a number of deaf
individuals, and a member of Caption Alaska, testified. He stated
through contact with the ADC, Caption Alaska was able to establish
captioned movies in Fairbanks. Also, through that Council he has
the contact necessary to properly represent his deaf clients. He
recommended the Legislature pass this legislation as he believes
the Council has done an admirable job.
DUANE MAYS, State Coordinator for the Deaf, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, stated support for SCSHCR 19(HES). Approximately
60,000 Alaskans experience hearing loss, many experience
communication problems personally, socially, and in their jobs.
Many Alaskans who experience hearing loss are not employed or are
underemployed and remain on welfare because they are not able to
overcome their hearing loss. The ADC will address the above issues
by educating the State. It will function as a clearinghouse and
referral center; resources will be shared and services will
improve.
Number 265
SUELLEN BAHLEDA, a certified interpreter through the National
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, a member of the Alaska
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and a member of the Alaska
Mentor Project, which is developing a protocol for working
interpreters to improve their skills, testified. Communication
issues are vital for the State's deaf, hard-of-hearing, and
deafblind citizens. She has been a participant on the ADC since
its inception. It is vital for interpreters and deaf, hard-of-
hearing and deafblind persons to work together to make
communication access a possibility in this State. She strongly
supports passage of SCSHCR 19(HES).
KAYA KAYA, treasurer of the ADC, made the following comments. The
clause on page 2, line 12 states ADC is in the process of obtaining
501(c)(3) status. She informed the committee ADC recently received
that status, therefore it is officially non-profit. She works for
Fairbanks Community Mental Health as its deaf and hard-of-hearing
counselor. Many mental health issues are derived from being deaf,
hard-of-hearing, or deafblind. The Council has enabled other
counselors in the same field to meet and they have developed a
mental health committee. She stated her support for SCSHCR 19(HES)
and thanked the committee for its time.
DARRELL CAMPBELL, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special
Education, spoke in support of SCSHCR19(HES). The ADC has
accomplished a lot of things in different areas of the State in its
three years. The ADC has attracted representatives from the Alaska
Deaf School, interpreter organizations, UAA, and others, who have
come together to work on projects and help each other.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN noted it is the committee's intent to pass the bill
out with the deletion of the language on page 2, line 12, that
refers to the application of 501(c)(3) status.
BECKY RAWSEN testified for SAIL in support of SCSHCR 19(HES) and
stated the Council has established a unified approach for the deaf,
and offers a place to get information, training, qualified
interpreters, and help with mental health and employment issues,
and other things important to independent living.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN asked Ms. Rawsen how long she has been deaf. MS.
RAWSEN replied she became totally deaf at the age of 20. CHAIRMAN
WILKEN thought Ms. Rawsen spoke very well, and asked her to
introduce her assistant. MS. RAWSEN introduced her husband and
interpreter, Gene Rawsen.
Number 145
SENATOR GREEN repeated her concern about the deaf community being
the most divided of all groups involved in the Governor's Council
on Disabilities and Special Education. She asked for assurance
that no one group be disenfranchised by legislative endorsement of
ADC later on, even though the membership of the Council is not
under the Legislature's purview.
MR. SADDLER said he could not speak for the Alaska Association for
the Deaf, who was not represented at this hearing, but he believes
that organization has expressed support of this resolution through
Mr. Albert Burke. The ADC has tried to serve as an umbrella
organization and has not tried to present itself as a sole voice.
He did not believe any one organization will ever speak for the
entire deaf community, just as no one group speaks for the able
bodied.
SENATOR GREEN said she does not want the Legislature to be a party
to something that sets one group apart, or empowers one group
against another. CHAIRMAN WILKEN did not think any committee
members want to be a party to that kind of activity.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to amend SCSHCR 19(HES), on page 2 and 3, lines
12 by deleting the phrase, "is working to obtain tax-exempt status
in the State of Alaska and to achieve" to reflect the current non-
profit status of the ADC. There being no objection, the motion
carried.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to pass SCSHCR 19(HES)am from committee. There
being no objection, the motion carried.
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