Possible Help For Disabled Keiki

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Linda Elento and her son, Jason, on one of her many visits
to the state Capitol to monitor key bills on behalf of
children with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Photo
from Linda Elento.

A Kaneohe mother is celebrating the passage of several bills that may someday enhance her son’s education, but also weighing the cost of being such a vigilant advocate.

The 2007 Hawaii State Legislature is pau, and measures HB 531, SB 613, HB 500 and SCR 17 have passed and await the governor’s signature. All of them were of interest to the Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress, which Linda Elento speaks for, as the mother of 6-year-old Jason, who has the disorder.

“Everyone is surprised our bills got through,"she said."My favorite is Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, which asks the DOE to study and report on the educational implications of disabilities in preschoolage children.

“At present,” she explained,"the law says you can’t label them, can’t talk about it or assume anything. That means they are not getting support, and the teacher doesn’t have access to other resources.”

House Bill 531 sets up a task force to study the unique needs of developmentally disabled preschoolers. Senate Bill 613 seeks improvement to the state’s special ed preschools “emphasizing parents and inclusion” along with statute amendments. House Bill 500 would expand early education programs like Families for R.E.A.L.

Elento said parents advocating for these measures are grateful for the support of legislators like Rep. Colleen Meyer whose role on the House Finance Committee was key to late-night passage of the bills.

“Money isn’t the issue,” Elento added in a moment of frustration. “I wish I hadn’t done anything and just stayed at home with my child.”

Her main crusade over the years has been to get sign language into the schools, as children like Jason with Down syndrome have difficulty communicating because of delays and hearing impairment."He lives for sign language,"she said, but at present the school system’s answer to her has been “find an attorney and battle it.”

While they support each other, the Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress also has a friend in Tropical Smoothie Cafe on Piikoi Street. It will hold a benefit “Orange Party"for HDSC from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday.

For reservations, call 593-7373. For more about the congress, call 949-1999.

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