FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE x Honolulu, Hawai`i – At its recent 60th Anniversary Easter Seals Hawai`i awards dinner held at Washington Place, 11-year-old Pono Tokioka, was honored as the recipient of the 2006 EDI (Equality, Dignity, and Independence) Advocacy Award. This award recognizes an individual for their active work in furthering public awareness and seeking changes in policy on behalf of people with disabilities and other special needs. Tokioka was the subject of a highly-publicized complaint filed by the parents on behalf of their son Pono against the PONY leagues who denied access to a sign-language interpreter in the dugout during the 2005 Mustang state tournament in Hilo. PONY officials enforced a rule that only three uniformed coaches are allowed in the dugout with the players. A settlement was reached in August 2006, brokered by the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, between the Tokioka’s and one of the nations largest youth sports organizations to ensure that young players with disabilities will have an equal opportunity to play baseball and softball. The new policy was implemented during this year’s state tournament. “We are extremely proud and humbled to accept this award on behalf of thousands of children with disabilities around the country who can now participate in sports equally”, says father, and Easter Seals board member, James Tokioka. “So whether it’s soccer or any other competitive team sport, a child with a disability will be able to get assistance. It’s about the rights of all kids with disabilities.” Other award recipients include long-time board member and volunteer, Dr. Jean Johnson of the University of Hawai`i, receiving top honors with the Dwane Brenneman Humanitarian Award for her personal efforts of consistently and actively seeking to enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities or other special needs in our community. Larry Rodriguez, Ernst & Young, was named to the Laulima Award for his personal efforts of advocacy, philanthropy, and volunteerism as Chairman of the Presidents Council. Fred Ida, was presented with the Po`okela Award recognizing his distinguished years of service spanning 49 years as a volunteer board member and a member of the national organization. Alan Wong received the Chairman’s Award acknowledging his outstanding contributions for the Youth Services Programs by spearheading the annual Gingerbread Festival and Chefs du Jour events. Easter Seals Hawai`i is currently the largest private provider of services for infants, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs in the State. They have provided direct client services in Hawa`i since 1946, with 25 programs on O`ahu, Kaua`i, Maui, Lana`i, Moloka`i and The Big Island of Hawai`i. Services include the Early Intervention Program, Youth Services Programs, Partnerships in Community Living Program, Assistive Technology, and Home & Community-Based Services. For more information, visit www.EasterSealsHawaii.org x |
