2023 – 2024 Annual Report
Table of Contents
Message from the Director
About the Center on Disability Studies
2023-2024 CDS Report Card
Goals
Emphasis 1: Education and Early Intervention
Emphasis 2: Employment
Emphasis 3: Community Living
CDS Project List FY24
Message from the Director
Aloha kākou,
It is with heartfelt appreciation that I share this annual report on behalf of the Center onDisability Studies (CDS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The 2024 fiscal year was atestament to the strength, dedication, and innovation of our team and partners as weworked to promote equity, inclusion, and wellbeing across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
I want to begin by recognizing and expressing my deep gratitude to Dr. Lauren Lum Ho, who served as Interim Director from August 2023 to March 2024, and to Dr. Maya Matheis, who served as Associate Director during FY 2024. Their steadfast leadership, particularly in response to the devastating Maui wildfires, was nothing short of extraordinary. Collaborating with state agencies and community partners, they led rapid, compassionate, and impactful efforts to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families during a time of crisis. Their leadership strengthened our values in action—responsiveness, community solidarity, and culturally grounded support.
Throughout the year, CDS advanced its mission across our core areas: education and early intervention, employment, and community living. We launched and expanded programs that supported Native Hawaiian students, fostered inclusive STEM pathways, enhanced postsecondary access, and built leadership in health equity. Our Wellness Matters initiatives, Pacific Rim International Conference, and evidence-based trainings empowered thousands and reflected our holistic approach to disability, culture, and community.
CDS operated on $16 million in grants and contracts, delivered nearly 150 training activities to over 6,000 participants, and published meaningful research that uplifts underserved voices and lived experience. Our team continued to model innovation through inclusive practices, interdisciplinary training, and impactful collaborations.
I extend my deepest mahalo to our faculty, staff, community partners, funders, and most importantly, the individuals and families we serve. Each of you plays a vital role in shaping a future where everyone can thrive with dignity, purpose, and belonging.
With aloha and gratitude,
Dr. Kiriko Takahashi Interim Director, Center on Disability Studies University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
About the Center on Disability Studies
The Center on Disability Studies (CDS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is an Organized Research Unit recognized by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents. Established in 1987 as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, CDS supports individuals with disabilities and their families through research, training, demonstration, and community outreach. As a trusted partner to state and regional organizations, CDS provides technical assistance, designs training programs, offers community-based demonstrations, and shares its work through statewide, national, and international efforts. national, and international efforts. Through projects in education, early intervention, employment, and community living, CDS serves thousands of individuals with disabilities, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other underserved communities, helping build pathways to full participation and access.
2023-2024 CDS Report Card
FY 2023-2024
Total Extramural Funding Generated
$16,217,174
Funding Sources
Funding Overview
6
New Grant or Contract Proposals Submitted
19
New proposals and continuations funded
as of June 30, 2024
Goals
Goal 1: Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation and Continuing Education
Prepared Pre-Service Providers Educators, and Trainees
18 graduate courses to 100 students and
6 undergraduate courses to 70 students!
Enhanced the knowledge and skills of postsecondary education personnel
- 5 sustainable online PD modules to 20 postsecondary education personnel
- A symposium to 109 attendees
- 3 monthly speaker sessions to 157 attendees
Increased the knowledge and skills of the existing workforce
- 33 continuing education opportunities
- 13 well-being workshops
- 1,222 participants
Goal 2: Community Services
Demonstrated or modeled practices to support education and employment
- 149 continuing education/community training activities
- 6,094 participants including:
- 473 adults with disabilities
- 70 children with disabilities
- 1,089 family members
Encouraged individuals with disabilities to determine their own education an employment plans and pathways
- Various training and intensive mentoring to 304 individuals with disabilities
- Information, resources, and ongoing support to 454 family members, both with and without disabilities
Contributed to local, state, and national capacity for inclusion in education and employment
Various training opportunities and technical assistance to:
4,725 professionals/paraprofessionals
582 community members
8 legislators/policymakers
161 local community partners
140 state/national partners
Goal 3: Research
Capacity to Conduct Rigorous Research
9
Grant Proposal Submissions
48
Conference Presentations
or Posters
13
Publications
43
Collaborations with Agencies for Research
However, grant writing workshops need to be provided as planned to continue building capacity within the Center.
Demonstrated the use of participatory and culturally responsive methods in research and evaluation
- Faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities or family members of individuals with disabilities
- Projects targeting different populations, mostly serving underrepresented groups
- Research or evaluation involved:
- 67 family members/caregivers
- 10 adults with disabilities
- 11 children with disabilities
Goal 4: Information Dissemination
Maintained state-of-the-art dissemination activities that demonstrate accessibility
- Hired an accessibility specialist
- Accessibility-related workshop to 114 attendees
- Assistive technology training to 32 attendees
Increase reach through the pacific rim international conference on disability and diversity
- 705 attendees
- 7 pre- or post-event workshops
- Active social media promotion to 3300+ users
2,635 Facebook followers
236 Instagram followers
2,795 X followers
Significant efforts to active information sharing within the center and with its partners and stakeholders
- 6 partner agency seminars, attended by 298 individuals
- 7 brown bag meetings
- CDS assemblies attended by collaborators, stakeholders, and CAC members
- Center annual report available online, presented to the CAC, and disseminated over 250 copies
Emphasis 1: Education and Early Intervention
The primary objectives in the area of Education and Early Intervention are wellbeing skill development of professionals and parents of young children with disabilities; increasing STEM and literacy skills of K-12 students through student interventions and parent/educator trainings; improving the school experiences of children with significant behavior challenges by training supervisors of applied behavior analyst technicians and other professionals; fostering positive behaviors for students with mental health challenges through training and resources for professionals; creating a positive educational experience for students with hearing impairments who are Deaf and Deaf-Blind in Hawaiʻi and in the outer Pacific Islands; and offering graduate and undergraduate courses on disability and diversity including the graduate certificate program in Interdisciplinary Certificate in Disability and Diversity Studies.
Education and Early Intervention Featured Projects
Learn more about our Education and Early Intervention Featured Projects: (1) Hawaiʻi Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant Evaluation, (2) Nā Hokua, and (3) Ka Pilina Noʻeau Hoʻomau
Hawaiʻi Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant Evaluation
PDG B-5 aims to strengthen the early childhood care and education (ECCE) system through a comprehensive mixed-delivery approach. By expanding access to ECCE programs, the grant supports low-income and disadvantaged children in preparation for kindergarten and allows access to high-quality educational opportunities through third grade.
Nā Hokua
Nā Hokua supports Native Hawaiian students in providing academic support, financial assistance, and opportunities for career exploration in STEM fields. Building upon evidence-based practice (EBP) for skill development and strategies, Nā Hokua aims to provide a model to University of Hawaiʻi community college (UHCC) to improve retention, access, and program retention. Ultimately, allowing quality employment or enrollment into a four-year program of study.
Ka Pilina Noʻeau Hoʻomau
Ka Pilina Noʻeau Hoʻomau (KPNH) focuses to improve math and science competencies for students from preK to 5th grade, with a focus on those at risk or with disabilities. A preK curriculum was implemented in addition to the Summer 2024 programs, further expanding the project’s initiative and impact.
Education and Early Intervention Highlights
Check out our Education and Early Intervention Highlights: (1) Center on Disability Studies (CDS) was awarded $4.8 mil from the U.S. Department of Education Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP) for the 2023-2024 school year, (2) Hawaiʻi Inclusive Early Childhood Professional Preparation Project awarded a $1 mil grant to Improve Early Child Professional Preparation, (3) Project Hokulani Partners with HS to Create App to Track Expenditures, (4) Kulia Support – Mohala Project Receives $834,009 Grant, and (5) Project Hoʻokuʻi Documentary airing on KHON2
Center on Disability Studies (CDS) was awarded $4.8 mil from the U.S. Department of Education Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP) for the 2023-2024 school year
Funding will continue to support CDS in serving Native Hawaiian students and educators interested in STEM education, postpandemic impacts, post-secondary education, and employment opportunities/preparation.
Hawaiʻi Inclusive Early Childhood Professional Preparation Project awarded a $1 mil grant to Improve Early Child Professional Preparation
HI-PRO aims to strengthen community college (CC) programs by equipping faculty with the knowledge and skills needed to serve Hawaiʻi’s keiki with disabilities and their families. Over the next five years, HI-PRO will collaborate with four local CCs, enhance curricula, prepare students to work effectively with keiki with disabilities, and encourage their transition from associate programs to bachelor’s degree programs
Project Hokulani Partners with HS to Create App to Track Expenditures
Seven highschool students interning with Project Hokulani developed a mobile app, named RESHEIPT, allowing users to track their expenditures by scanning receipts. Project Hokulani aims to support Native Hawaiian students interested in STEM fields through a year-long, culture and workbased program. These interns were among the 66 students who have completed various STEM internships throughout Hawaiʻi.
Kulia Support – Mohala Project Receives $834,009 Grant
The Kulia Support Project (KSP) supports at-risk Native Hawaiian students in both overcoming pandemic-related learning losses and developing the skills and habits needed to succeed in post-secondary education. Ultimately, KSP plans to expand its model support to various University of Hawaii Community colleges (UHCC) to improve access, retention, and completion of program of study, leading to quality employment or further continuation to a four-year study program.
Project Hoʻokuʻi Documentary airing on KHON2!
The Power of Hoʻokuʻi: Joining Together to Build a Future, a product of Project Hoʻokuʻi premiered on Sept 21, 2023. Project Ho’oku’i serves underserved students, prioritizing Native Hawaiian students, Native Hawaiian gifted and talented students, and those with disabilities in transitioning from high school to postsecondary or certification programs. Since its inception in 2009, the program has supported Hawaiʻi’s keiki in providing financial support, academic mentoring/tutoring services, and internship opportunities. The documentary aims to spread awareness about the project and encourage students to pursue their goals through education.
Emphasis 2: Employment
In the area of Employment, our objectives were to implement benefits planning training (i.e., the impact of employment on Social Security benefits); provide coaching and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in their postsecondary education experience; and implement an interagency collaboration model to support young people with disabilities to enroll in postsecondary education and/or secure employment. With the benefits planning, we worked closely with our triagency – State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, as well as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Employment Featured Projects
Learn more about our Employment Featured Projects: (1) Hawaiʻi UCEDD Public Health Workforce and (2) Postsecondary Support Project (PSP).
Hawaiʻi UCEDD Public Health Workforce
Hawaiʻi’s Universities Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is dedicated to building leadership capacity through collaboration and empowering individuals with disabilities. UCEDD has played a crucial role in major disability initiatives and disseminating disability related information, and providing direct training to facilitate a smooth transition for those entering the workforce. Additionally, UCEDD works closely with community partners to promote inclusive practices and improve access to resources and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Its efforts aim to create a more equitable and supportive environment across Hawaiʻi.
Postsecondary Support Project (PSP)
CDS’s Postsecondary Support Project (PSP) focuses on creating post-secondary opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). The program has been twice recognized as a Transition Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID), highlighting its dedication toward empowering those with disabilities. Through personalized coaching, participants develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in academics, employment, and independent living.
Employment Highlights
Check out our Employment Highlights: (1) Symposium on Postsecondary STEM transition of Neurodivergent Students, (2) 2024 Employee First Summit, (3) PSP Camp Mānoa, and (4) Health Equity & Disability Inclusion Leadership Training.
Symposium on Postsecondary STEM transition of Neurodivergent Students
CDS hosted the Postsecondary STEM Transition of Neurodivergent Students Symposium, highlighting effective strategies that can be utilized to empower individuals with disabilities to pursue post-secondary STEM programs, an area that remains significantly underrepresented. Discussions emphasized the importance of collaborative support systems to help neurodivergent students thrive academically and professionally in STEM fields.
2024 Employee First Summit
The 2nd annual Employee First Summit occurred in February 2024, bringing together 120 participants to explore strategies for increasing job sustainability for individuals with disabilities. The event showcased innovative practices and policies aimed at promoting employee retention, developing career pathways, and addressing systemic barriers to employment.
PSP Camp Mānoa
The Postsecondary Support Project (PSP) hosts its annual “Camp Manoā” Summer experience, a 4-day, 3-night education program featuring hands-on training activities designed to foster self-determination. Through this immersive experience, participants develop self-determination skills that empower them to visualize, plan, and take actionable steps toward achieving their educational and career goals.
Health Equity & Disability Inclusion Leadership Training
This past Summer, CDS welcomed applicants to the Health Equity Inclusion Leadership Training Program . The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to address public health and healthcare issues affecting those with disabilities. Participants benefited from mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities. Additionally, two participants received a $4500 stipend to support their tuition or other educational expenses.
Emphasis 3: Community Living
Lastly, in the area of Community Living our objectives included promoting the inclusion of visitability standards to increase the availability of accessible, affordable housing, including a website; training individuals with developmental disabilities in wellness areas such as yoga, exercise, and nutrition; and strengthening the state’s approach to emergency-preparedness through collaborations between individuals with and without disabilities. Community living is still an on-going effort and we hope to address some of the needed issues.
Community living is central to our mission and through our extensive partnership network and community facing projects, we have continued to research critical issues, provide platforms for community engaged summits and raise awareness of the direct impact on individuals with disabilities in areas of health, wellness, housing, and access in the community.
Community Living Featured Projects
Learn more about our Community Living Featured Projects: (1) The Comprehensive Service Center (CSC), (2) The Hawaiʻi Statewide Family Engagement Center, and (3) ECHO Autism Hawaiʻi.
The Comprehensive Service Center (CSC)
The Comprehensive Service Center (CSC) serves as a vital resource for support, education, and community engagement, empowering individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, and their families. This past year, CSC has hosted numerous programs centered on continued education and community training, including an Outreach Deaf Safari and workshops on web content and Word document accessibility.
The Hawaiʻi Statewide Family Engagement Center
The Hawaiʻi Statewide Family Engagement Center has been dedicated to supporting local families since its inception in 2018. The center focuses on implementing family engagement activities and programs that strengthen partnerships among families, schools, and their communities. Over the past year, several webinars have been offered, fostering positive family interactions and improved academic outcomes for Hawaiʻi’s keiki.
ECHO Autism Hawaiʻi
ECHO Autism Hawaiʻi pioneers to improve quality of care for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. The program utilizes virtual learning sessions to connect ASD families with experts, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver effective care.
Community Living Highlights
Check out our Community Living Highlights: (1) $3 mil Grant from Administration of Community Living, (2) CDS offer Wellness Program for all Ages, (3) CDS hosted the 39th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference themed “Beyond Access: Building a Culture of Belonging.”, (4) CDS Partners w/ DOH to Support Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities Affected by Maui Wildfires, (5) Hawaiʻi Positive Engagement Project (H-PEP) accepts applications to its 9th ALOHA Well-being Cohort for the Fall 2023 series, (6) In June, the first-ever Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism Hawaiʻi program was launched, and (7) The 38th Annual Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) Conference took place in April 2024.
$3 mil Grant from Administration of Community Living
CDS was awarded a $3 million grant from the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCDD). Funding will help support CDS’s mission to continually conduct education, research, and programs that improve the lives of those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and caregivers. Highlighting various services provided by CDS, including post-secondary education preparation, Native Hawaiian education, family engagement, and digital content accessibility.
CDS offer Wellness Program for all Ages
CDS continues to offer Wellness Matter Programs, designed to enhance the overall well-being of individuals with disabilities while fostering connections through physical activities. Led by CDS Associate Specialist Kelle L Murphy, several wellness initiatives have been implemented over this past year, including Inclusive First Aid/CPR/AED, Swim Safe: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program, and Physical Activity Program-Soccer. The Swim Safe: ASD Program equips individuals with essential safety and swimming skills, enabling them to enjoy water activities confidently and safely.
CDS hosted the 39th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference themed “Beyond Access: Building a Culture of Belonging.”
This year’s conference focused on building inclusion within our communities and gathering the support needed to support others while creating opportunities for growth. Highlights included seven different strands, over 300 presenters, and keynote speakers, drawing more than 750 attendees across twelve different countries.
CDS Partners w/ DOH to Support Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities Affected by Maui Wildfires
In collaboration with the Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division (DOH DHH), CDS is providing support to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) to those impacted by the wildfires on Maui. These wildfires, the deadliest in the US in the past century, caused extensive damage and hardships across the island. CDS is offering support in providing evidence-based practice (EBP) toolkits designed to provide practical solutions for managing mental health stress. CDS and DOH DHH have also been meeting with affected families to provide tailored support, helping individuals recover and rebuild after the challenges of recent months. Toolkit link: https://coe.hawaii.edu/cds/maui-wildfire-response/
Hawaiʻi Positive Engagement Project (H-PEP) accepts applications to its 9th ALOHA Well-being Cohort for the Fall 2023 series
The 10-week program encourages participants to engage in weekly Positive Psychological Interventions (PPIs), aimed to increase personal well-being. Once the program is completed, participants will have the opportunity to implement their SPARK Aloha Plan, offering positive well-being or flourishment interventions for their school’s staff, parents, and students.
In June, the first-ever Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism Hawaiʻi program was launched
This initiative aims to improve the quality of care to those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), utilizing virtual collaborative sessions. The ECHO model focuses on addressing the needs of individuals with ASD and the reduction in disparities of care. Findings from this study will be used to update the current ECHO as needed to better serve future cohorts.
The 38th Annual Special Parent Information Network (SPIN) Conference took place in April 2024
SPIN, a parent-to-parent organization provides support to parents of children or young adults with disabilities. This year’s theme embraced “Ocean of Possibilities” and featured a variety of activities, including a keynote address and several informative live workshops.
CDS Project List FY24
Project Name
Alanui a Hokulani Project Aloha Independent Living Hawaiʻi (AILH) Areca Nut and Betel Quid Health Risk Reduction and Cessation: Intervention Development Center on Disability Studies Behavioral Health Clinic (CDS BHC) Comprehensive Service Center (CSC) Department of Health (DOH) - Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) Contract Disability Studies and Diversity Studies (DIS) Program Coursework DOH Children with Special Health Needs Assessment ECHO Autism Hawaii Feeling Safe Being Safe Hawaiʻi & Pacific Deaf-Blind Consortium Hawaiʻi Family Engagement Center I and II Hawaii Inclusive Early Childhood Professional Preparation Project Hawaii Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) - Evaluation Hawaiʻi Positive Engagement Project (H-PEP): SPARK Aloha! Hawaiʻi UCEDD Public Health Workforce Hawaiʻi Department of Health Newborn Hearing Screening Program HI DOH Early Intervention Section, CSC ASL Services HSRI: Hawaii Department of Health, Division of Disabilities Evaluation Project Ka Pilina Noʻeau Hoʻomau Ka Pilina Noʻeau II Kūlia Support - Mohala Project Kākau Mea Nui 2.0 (Writing Matters) Project Marshalls Newborn Hearing Screening Project Nā Hokua Postsecondary Support Project (PSP): Kūlia STEM Nā Hokua Project: COVID Relief Initiative Neʻepapa Ka Hana (NKH) 2.0: Expanding Native Hawaiian Student Access and Teacher Training from Middle School Mathematics to the STEM Workforce NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM) Oak Foundation – Supporting Students with Learning Differences in Higher Education Project BEAM (Be A Mathematician) Project CLD TEAMS Project Hōkūlani and Project Hōkūlani Hui Project Hoʻokuʻi III: Na Kumu Alakaʻi Project Hoʻokuʻi IV: ʻOhana Lokahi Project Hoʻokuʻi V: Kūlia i ka Nuʻu Project Hoʻokuʻi VI: E Ho’omau PSP: Kūlia Support Project PSP – Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Ulu Aʻe Transitions Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits Planning (Pre-ETS) Work Incentives Planning and Assistance, Hawaii WIPA
Principal Investigators
Hye-Jin Park, Kiriko Takahashi
Jennifer Tarnay
Kelle Murphy
Maya Matheis
Jennifer Tarnay, Eric Folk
Lauren Lum Ho
Raphael Raphael, Kiriko Takahashi
Kiriko Takahashi, Maya Matheis
Maya Matheis
Yoko Kitami
Jennifer Tarnay, Mellanie Lee
Chuan Chinn, Victoria Timmerman
Holly Manaseri, Maya Matheis
Maya Matheis, Nicole Schlaack
Naomi Rombaoa Tanaka
Kiriko Takahashi, Danielle Delise
Jennifer Tarnay
Jennifer Tarnay
Nicole Schlaack, Kiriko Takahashi
Kiriko Takahashi, Hye-Jin Park, Jerica Manoa
Kiriko Takahashi, Hye-Jin Park
Eric Folk, Sean Nagamatsu
Holly Manaseri, Raphael Raphael
Ray Miner
Eric Folk, Robert Stodden
Eric Folk, Robert Stodden
Kiriko Takahashi
Kiriko Takahashi
Holly Manaseri
Kiriko Takahashi, Hye-Jin Park
Kiriko Takahashi, Hye-Jin Park
Kiriko Takahashi, Hye-Jin Park
Kiriko Takahashi, Lisa Uyehara
Kiriko Takahashi, Lisa Uyehara
Kiriko Takahashi, Lisa Uyehara
Naomi Rombaoa Tanaka, Lisa Uyehara
Eric Folk, Robert Stodden
Eric Folk, Robert Stodden
Sara Banks, Tammy Tom
Jared Galeai
Jared Galeai