News Release
GOVERNOR APPOINTS DR. KIRIKO TAKAHASHI TO HAWAIʻI STATE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – On March 31, 2021, the Hawaiʻi Senate voted to approve Governor David Ige’s recommendation (GM581) to appoint Dr. Kiriko Takahashi to serve as a member of the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities (DD Council).
Effective immediately until June 20, 2022, she will join the 28 Governor appointed members that include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents, family members and representatives from public and private agencies that serve this population. Established by state and federal law as an independent agency, the mission of the DD Council is to empower, advocate, and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities statewide to control their own destiny and determine the quality of life they desire.
Dr. Takahashi is the current director of the Center on Disability Studies (CDS), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. CDS is one of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), education, research, training centers across the U.S. and its territories. It is uniquely positioned within the University and extended community to work towards a shared vision of a nation in which all Americans, including those with disabilities, participate fully in their communities.
The DD Council is CDS’s sister agency and our work is authorized under Public Law 106-402 per Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000. Therefore, as a council member, Dr. Takahashi hopes to be informed about the current needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to continue the Center’s programming. She also hopes to provide input to the DD Council’s 5 year plan, help monitor their implementation, and collaborate together on integrating the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at community and systems level across the lifespan.
From more information on Dr. Takahashi’s appointment or the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities contact Daintry Bartoldus, Executive Administrator, daintry.bartoldus@doh.hawaii.
###
The Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is a research center aimed to promote diverse abilities across the lifespan through interdisciplinary training, research and service. For more information visit cds.coe.hawaii.edu, or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/CDShawaiiedu and Facebook www.facebook.com/