Communication Access

NEW from Communication Access

New videos in American Sign Language for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind persons in Hawai‘i aids understanding of civil rights.

A series of basic civil rights videos in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind is now available statewide. Collaboratively produced by the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) and the Hawai‘i State Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB), the new videos provide direct information to individuals who rely on ASL to communicate. See videos below.

Hawai’i State Agency Recommended Fee Schedule for Hiring Sign Language Interpreters
State Agency Manual for the Provision of Sign Language Interpreters
VRI Guidelines: These guidelines were created by the National Association of the Deaf and Deaf Seniors of America to assist healthcare providers in operating Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). – (posted 3/31/2020)
How to Obtain Communication Access Services or Providers – (updated 11/4/2019)
Movie Captioning in Theaters in Hawaii: Legislative History – (posted 7/8/2019)
Communication Access Card Information – (posted 9/10/2018)

Communication Access Providers

Please click on Sign Language Interpreters for the current list. This list is updated monthly if changes are made.

Should you have questions about the list, please contact our office by phone (808) 586-8121 (V) or email [email protected]

DCAB Sponsored Workshops

Interpreter CEU Workshop Request for Funding Application Form – As of August 17, 2020, the application for Interpreter CEU Workshop Funding has been suspended until further notice.

Hawaii Administrative Rules

Communication Access, Title 11, Chapter 218 (Accessible Version)
Communication Access, Title 11, Chapter 218 (PDF Version)
Frequently Asked Questions

Hawaii Quality Assurance System (HQAS)

HQAS Application

HQAS Test: The test will be offered upon request. Please contact DCAB at (808) 586-8121 or email at [email protected] for more information.

Continuing Education Program (CEP)

The Disability and Communication Access Board announces a new online system for sign language interpreters enrolled in the HQAS CEP. The new system is designed to reduce paper consumption and errors by automatically calculating CEU totals. To learn more about the HQAS CEP, please visit the website at www.hqas.org.

NOTE TO HQAS INTERPRETERS: To participate in the CEU program, you must first sign up online and submit the program fee by mail to DCAB by check or money order. Credit card payments and cash are not acceptable. After confirmation of your online application and fee, CEUs must be earned and submitted within your two-year renewal period. CEUs earned prior to confirmation will not be counted.

Movie Captioning in Theaters in Hawaii: Legislative History – (posted 7/8/2019)