As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board" means the disability and communication access board.
"Communication access services" means services rendered by a provider to facilitate communication between the person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and hearing consumers. Communication access services include, but are not limited to, interpreter services, real-time captioning services, and computer-assisted notetaking services.
"Computer-assisted notetaker" means a person who provides computer-assisted notetaking services.
"Computer-assisted notetaking services" means services performed by a typist using a word processor on a computer to provide a summary of a speaker's words or notes for situations such as a meeting or a group discussion. The words are typed into a word processor and displayed onto a screen. Computer-assisted notetaking services are distinguished from real-time captioning services in that the words are typed simultaneously but not necessarily verbatim and that stenographic equipment and skills are not involved.
"Credentials" means certification or credential that is awarded to providers as defined in this section.
"Hawaii State Sign Language Interpreter Credential" means a credential issued by the board to interpreters who pass the HQAS test or who possess a valid credential issued by an entity recognized by the board under section 11-218-14. Functional descriptions of credential levels are included in Appendix A.
"HQAS test" means the Hawaii Quality Assurance System interpreter screening instrument administered by the state screening agency.
"Hearing consumer" means any hearing individual that requires communication access services to communicate with one or more persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.
"Interpreter services" means services rendered by a nationally-certified or state credentialed interpreter as defined in this section, to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary, between a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and a hearing consumer.
"Nationally-certified interpreter" means any person who holds a valid certificate or credential awarded by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc. (NAD).
"Person who is deaf or hard of hearing" means any person who, with or without amplification, cannot hear and understand spoken language.
"Person who is deaf-blind" means any person who, with or without the assistance of hearing or visual aids, has both auditory and visual disabilities that interfere with communication.
"Provider" means any provider of communication access services including, but not limited to, a nationally-certified interpreter, a state credentialed interpreter, a certified real-time captioner, or a computer-assisted notetaker.
"Real-time captioner" means any person who holds any valid certifications awarded by either the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or a state board of certified shorthand reporters.
"Real-time captioning services" means services performed by a certified real-time captioner to facilitate communication for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. The services provide simultaneous transcription of a speaker's words by using a stenographic machine, a computer, and realtime captioning software, and by projecting the words onto a screen.
"State agency" means any department, office, board, or commission of the State, or the University of Hawaii.
"State screening agency" means the disability and communication access board.
"State credentialed interpreter" means any person who holds a valid Hawaii State Sign Language Interpreter Credential awarded by the board. Credential levels and functional descriptions are described in Appendix A.
Haw. Code R. § 11-218-3