Deaf Community Center Feasibility Study

PBR HAWAII prepared a feasibility study for the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services (DCS) focusing on a proposed community center for persons living on O‘ahu who are deaf.  The study included a needs assessment determining the ideal kinds of opportunities and services that could be provided through a deaf community center.

The overall goal of the study was to prepare an assessment of the feasibility for establishing the first community center for persons on O‘ahu who are deaf or hard of hearing, and an objective assessment of what is needed to specifically serve these persons on O‘ahu, including why service needs differ from other distinctive community groups.  The assessments were based on analysis of perspectives gathered from potential community center administrators, service providers, and users through semi-structured interview research.

The project received an award from the American Planning Association Hawai‘i Chapter in 2003.  The Awards Jury, in awarding that year’s Community Advocacy Award noted it was particularly impressed with the extent, breadth, and depth of the outreach efforts to identify, contact, and interview members of the deaf community and various service providers.  “PBR HAWAII, as the professional planning consultant should not only be recognized, but commended and encouraged for their work on this project.”