Land Use Commission

A PDF is not ADA compliant if it lacks:

1. Searchable text
2. Proper tagging (headings, paragraphs, lists, etc.)
3. Alt text for images
4. Bookmarks for long or complex documents
5. Correct table structure

Helpful Tips:

• Start with an Accessible Source File
• Before converting from Word or Excel, use the Check Accessibility feature.
• Fix all listed issues (missing alt text, headings, etc.).
• Save the document using “Save As” or “Export” — do not use “Print to PDF,” which strips accessibility features.
• Use the Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker (Tools > Accessibility > Full Check).
• Review and fix any errors it identifies: (e.g. Missing tags, No document title, Missing alt text, etc.)
• For each issue, right-click it and select “Fix” or “Explain” to get guidance.
• Know What Can’t Be Fully Fixed: Logical Reading Order and Color Contrast.

The kahakō and ʻokina can pose challenges for some reading apps and screen readers, potentially leading to misinterpretations or inaccurate pronunciations. DCAB is recommending that State agencies utilize the following links:

ʻŌlelo Translate tool developed by UH West Oʻahu

West Oʻahu site Hawaiian Language Considerations with additional information and guidance:

ADA.gov

Section508.gov

PDF Authoring Guides

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Accessibility at UH

UH West Oahu 

Disability and Communication Access Board: ADA site

Office of Enterprise Technology Services: Web Accessibility Resources

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual’s ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

This standard was recently refreshed to include Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a globally recognized voluntary consensus standard for web content and information Communication technology created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The WCAG 2.0 Level AA standard and the Web Accessibility Initiative Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (WAI-ARIA) 1.0 techniques for web content, shall be used to measure accessibility and functionality of on-line content. ETS looks to this standard for reliable guidance on meeting accessibility commitments and compliance for portal architecture sites.

This site has been designed to be compatible with a wide variety of browsers, and with assistive technologies in mind. Our goal is to continue to work to make access available to all individuals. Improving access to citizens with disabilities is one of our top priorities, and any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to make sure that their services, programs, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. Title II applies to all services, programs, or activities of state and local governments, from adoption services to zoning regulation. This includes the services, programs, and activities that state and local governments offer online and through mobile apps.

Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §368-1.5: The ADA (42 U.S.C. §§12101) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) are federal civil rights statutes that require state and local governments, including the court system, to accommodate the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.

Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act 

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the State of Hawaiʻi will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities.  

Employment: The State of Hawaiʻi does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA. 

Effective Communication: The State of Hawaiʻi will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the State of Hawaiʻi’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision disabilities.  

Modifications to Policies and Procedures: The State of Hawaiʻi will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in the State of Hawaiʻi offices, even where pets are generally prohibited. 

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the State of Hawaiʻi, should contact the designated ADA Coordinator for that agency/department as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.  

The ADA does not require the State of Hawaiʻi to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.  

The State of Hawaiʻi will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.  

Website Accessibility Statement 

The State of Hawaiʻi is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including individuals with disabilities. We are continually working to improve the accessibility and usability of our website to provide an inclusive experience for all visitors.  

Our efforts align with the Hawaiʻi Electronic Information Technology Disability Access Standards established under Act 172, SLH 2022, c 172. §3, the requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II, and the accessibility standards outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. In accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) final rule on web accessibility, we strive to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.  

Third-Party Content and External Links  

Some pages on this website may contain third-party content or links to external sites that are not fully controlled by the State of Hawaiʻi. While we strive to ensure accessibility, we cannot guarantee compliance for these external resources.  

Feedback and Assistance  

If you encounter accessibility barriers while using our website or require assistance accessing content, please contact us: 

• • Share your feedback with us 

To help us address your concerns, please include:  

• • The specific URL (web address) of the page where you encountered the issue.  

• • A brief description of the problem; and  

• • Your contact information and the preferred format for receiving the information (e.g., large print, audio, or electronic format). 

The State of Hawaiʻi remains dedicated to improving digital accessibility and appreciates your feedback as we continue to enhance the online experience for all users.  

Reasonable Accommodations  

If you require a reasonable accommodation to access information in an alternative format, please contact us. We will make every effort to provide the requested materials in a timely manner and ensure equal access to our digital resources. 

Telecommunications Relay Service  

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities can contact us using the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711. TRS allows users to communicate through a relay operator who facilitates the conversation. For more information on TRS, visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website at www.fcc.gov/TRS. 

Organizational Policies and Procedures on Digital Accessibility 

• • Hawaiʻi Electronic Information Technology Disability Access Standards 

Grievance Procedure Under the Americans with Disabilities Act 

This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of programs, services, activities, or benefits by each agency. The State’s Personnel Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination. 

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request. 

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to the designated ADA Coordinator:  

• • View list of State ADA Coordinators 

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the designated ADA Coordinator or designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, the designated ADA Coordinator or designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the State of Hawaiʻi and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint, including how to appeal the response.  

If the response by the designated ADA Coordinator or designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the designated ADA Coordinator or designee. 

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the designated ADA Coordinator or designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the designated ADA Coordinator or designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.  

All written complaints received by the designated ADA Coordinator or designee, appeals received by the designated ADA Coordinator or designee, and the responses will be retained by the State of Hawaiʻi for at least three years. 

File an Official Complaint 

If the grievance process does not resolve your issue, official complaints under HRS §368-1.5 can be submitted to the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission (HCRC), specifically in situations where a person may, by reason of their disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination by state agencies, or under any program or activity receiving state financial assistance. 

Instructions for filing a complaint can be found on the HCRC website. 

The information on this page was last updated on 12/02/2025