Hawai'i & Pacific Deaf-Blind Project

09/04/2026

Get ready to celebrate reading at the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind (HSDB) Scholastic Book Fair! Come discover new books, exciting stories, and something special for every reader!

Our community is invited to visit the book fair during special community hours. Please sign in before entering the library.

📅 September 23 – 25
🕣 2:30PM – 4:00PM
📍 Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind 3440 Leahi Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815

Image Description:
A light blue flyer decorated with colorful triangular pennant banners across the top. On the left is a large Scholastic Book Fair graphic with the words “It’s Coming!” and “Save the Date: September 21–25, 8:30 AM–2:00 PM.” On the right, text announces that the community is invited to visit during special community hours on September 23-25 from 2:30PM–4:00 PM and asks visitors to sign in before entering the library. An illustration of a red apple sitting on a stack of colorful books appears below. At the bottom is the green HSDB logo, followed by “Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind” and the school address: 3440 Leahi Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.

09/04/2026

Join the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Psychology Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee for an in-person screening of Being Michelle, a documentary exploring disability, justice, and healing.

Following the film, stay for a discussion panel featuring:
Ben Wright – Director of Disability Access in Prison Education
Mae Tohun Mehra – Film Producer
Jenifer Montag – Associate Director, National Center for College Students with Disabilities
Jan Fried – Professor, Kapiʻolani Community College

📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM HST
📍 Kuykendall 209
🎥 Exclusively in person

Refreshments will be available. Seating is limited and first come, first served.
Learn more about the film: Being Michelle. https://www.beingmichelle.com

Image Description
A flyer with a light orange background and a large white rounded rectangle in the center. At the top is a pale yellow banner reading “University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Psychology Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.” The main heading reads “Film Screening + Discussion Panel,” followed by the title “BEING MICHELLE” in large red and yellow lettering. The flyer describes the film as “A documentary on disability, justice, and healing.” It lists the time as 3pm–6pm HST and the date as Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with the location Kuykendall 209. A pale yellow section lists the four panel members and their affiliations. At the bottom, it states that refreshments will be available and seating is limited and first come, first served.

09/02/2026

Get ready to celebrate reading at the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind (HSDB) Scholastic Book Fair!

📅 September 21 – 25
🕣 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind
3440 Leahi Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815

Special Community Hours:
Our community is invited to visit the book fair on Friday from 2:30–4:00 PM. Please sign in before entering the library.

Come discover new books, exciting stories, and something special for every reader!

Image Description:
A light blue flyer decorated with colorful triangular pennant banners across the top. On the left is a large Scholastic Book Fair graphic with the words “It’s Coming!” and “Save the Date: September 21–25, 8:30 AM–2:00 PM.” On the right, text announces that the community is invited to visit during special community hours on Friday from 2:30–4:00 PM and asks visitors to sign in before entering the library. An illustration of a red apple sitting on a stack of colorful books appears below. At the bottom is the green HSDB logo, followed by “Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind” and the school address: 3440 Leahi Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.

08/31/2026

📣 You’re Invited! Workshop: Strategies for Promoting and Troubleshooting AT in the Home

Join CATT-NW (Center for Assistive Technology Training) for an informative workshop focused on practical strategies for supporting the successful use of assistive technology (AT) at home.

📅 Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00PM–2:00 PM
📍 Location: Comprehensive Service Center (CSC) 1953 S. Beretania St., Ste 5A Honolulu, HI 96826

Participants will explore strategies to:
Promote successful use of assistive technology in the home
Troubleshoot common AT challenges
Improve outcomes for students with visual impairments and their families
Support students who are blind or have low vision in using technology effectively

Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for teachers, TVIs, O&M specialists, paraprofessionals, related service providers, parents/caregivers, and anyone supporting students who are blind or have low vision.

🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/CSCHawaii
🌐 Learn more: www.catt-nw.org

Please share this opportunity with colleagues, families, and others who may benefit!

Image Description:
A workshop flyer from CATT-NW (Center for Assistive Technology Training). The flyer features a photo of a woman and a young boy using a tablet and assistive technology devices together at a table. The headline reads “You’re Invited! WORKSHOP” and announces “Strategies for Promoting and Troubleshooting AT in the Home.” The workshop is Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 12:00PM–2:00PM at the Comprehensive Service Center, 1953 S. Beretania St., Ste 5A, Honolulu, HI 96826. The flyer includes information about who should attend, the CATT-NW mission, and registration details with a QR code.

08/07/2026

Fresh Start is here at CSC! 💚

With the help of community donations, we now have essential personal care items available for community members who need them.

Items are available at CSC while supplies last.

Want to help us keep Fresh Start stocked? We welcome donations of new, unopened personal care items.

📍 CSC
1953 S. Beretania St., Suite 5A
Honolulu, HI 96826

Image description: Fresh Start graphic from the Comprehensive Service Center. Personal care items including body wipes, soap, deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, and a green towel are arranged together. Text reads: “Fresh Start. Personal care items available at CSC while supplies last. Help Stock the Fresh Start Program.”

07/15/2026

Accessible games are for everyone!

CSC recently welcomed DOE professionals to explore adapted tabletop games and learn ways to make play more accessible for students, families, and adults with vision, hearing, and Deaf-Blind access needs.

Participants had hands-on time with:
Flat Connect Four
Battleship
Box / Tactile Bingo
Texture Dominos
Tactile Concentration

Together, we practiced adaptations, shared ideas, and talked about how simple changes can make games more inclusive and enjoyable.

Feedback was very positive. Participants shared that the session gave them practical ideas they can use with students and families, helped them better understand available adapted games, and made them feel more prepared to make activities accessible.

One participant shared, “Thank you so much for letting us try all the games! It was very helpful and meaningful!”

Mahalo to everyone who came ready to play, learn, and brainstorm with us. We look forward to more opportunities to make fun and connection accessible for all.

If you are interested in stopping by or borrowing any of our games, please send us a message. We'd love to connect with you!

Image descriptions: three women enjoy adapted versions of Battleship, Connect Four, and Texture Dominos.

07/07/2026

Yesterday, July 6, 2026, Hands & Voices Hawaiʻi and CSC partnered for a community gathering in Hilo, where everyone came together to learn, share, and connect.

The best part was seeing communication happen naturally among all ages. Families spent time with one another, teens reunited after CSC's Leadership Camp, and adults modeled different ways of communicating throughout the day. As everyone explored the exhibits, people shared signs, spoken language, gestures, and conversations in the ways that worked best for them.

It was a fabulous reminder that language, communication, and connection grow in everyday moments shared together.

Mahalo to Hands & Voices Hawaiʻi, Signs of Camp, and Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo for helping create a memorable day for all.

07/01/2026

**Accessible Connect Four at CSC**

Mike designed an accessible version of Connect Four that uses a tactile board and pieces so deaf-blind players can feel the board, track the moves, and enjoy the game in a more accessible way.

In this video, Mike explains how the game works and why tactile access matters. His design shows how small adaptations can make a familiar game more inclusive, hands-on, and fun for more people.

This game is available at CSC, and anyone is welcome to come try it! Stop by, play a round, and see how accessible games can bring people together.

https://youtu.be/lHFL4ECR7Gk
**Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges**

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/01/2026

Day 5: Accessible Games & Activities

Accessible games bring people together. They give us a chance to learn, laugh, problem-solve, take turns, and connect.

For Deaf-Blind individuals, access can look different depending on the person and the activity. Games may be adapted with tactile pieces, textures, high contrast, large print, braille, lighting changes, sound, vibration, or partner support.

Check out our next post where Mike will explain the accessible version of Connect Four that he designed. This adapted game uses tactile components and is available to play at the CSC.

Join us for upcoming Deaf-Blind Lunch Bunch events:

July 25, 2026
11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Taco bar potluck, games, and community connection

August 29, 2026
4:30–7:00 PM
Karaoke & Potluck — open to anyone who loves to sing or just wants to hang out!

September 19, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Tentative)
Usher Syndrome Awareness Event

Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

06/30/2026

Day 4 of Deaf-Blind Awareness Week: Access Through Touch

Touch can be a powerful way to communicate, connect, and access the world.

For many Deaf-Blind individuals, tactile communication opens doors to information, education, relationships, and community participation. This may include tactile sign language, touch cues, haptics, hand-under-hand exploration, and other forms of communication through touch.

When communication is accessible, people can connect more fully, build trust, and take part in the conversation.

Tactile communication is more than a method. It is a bridge that connects people, builds understanding, and creates access.

Join us for upcoming Deaf-Blind Lunch Bunch events:

July 25, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch, games, and community connection.

August 29, 2026
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Karaoke & Potluck — open to anyone who loves to sing!

Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges