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36TH LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGiN ISLANDS COMMITrEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & CONSUMER PROTECTION THE HONORABLE AVERY L. LEWIS BILL NO. U OiL 90 TESTIMONY JULIEN E. HENLEY SR. TERRITOWAL ADA COORDINATOR DECEMBER 2, 2025 BILL 25-0190 PRESENTATION OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Sllbmitted by: Julien E. Henley Sr. Territorial ADA Coordinator 1 Good day, Honorable Chairman Avery Lewis, members of the Committee on 2 Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection—other 3 esteemed Senators present, my fellow testifiers, and the listening and viewing public. 4 1 am Julien E. Henley Sr., Territorial ADA Coordinator for the Government of the s Virgin Islands. I thank you for the invitation to provide testimony today regarding 6 Bill No. 36-0190, which seeks to require sign language interpreters at all 7 Government of the Virgin Islands broadcasts and official functions. 8 This proposed legislation is not only timely but also essential. It addresses a long- 9 standing communication inequity faced by individuals who are Deaf or hard of 10 hearing: the inability to access critical information during emergencies, official 11 announcements, and all televised or broadcast public meetings or hearings. Under 12 the Sunshine Act, codified in Title 1, Chapter 15 ofthe Virgin Islands Code ( § 251— 13 256), government meetings must be open and accessible to the public. Section 254 14 specifically mandates public access and notice for agency meetings, while §253 is defines what constitutes a ‘meeting.’ Equal access means ensuring that individuals 16 who are Deaf or hard of hearing can participate fully in these proceedings. 17 Furthermore, when hurricanes, earthquakcs, or other disasters strike, timely and 18 accurate communication can save lives. e.v(inlonv on Bill No. 36-0 190 Territorial ADA Coordinator Jul/en E. Henley Si-. December 2, 2025 Page 2 of3 19 Yet, while most residents hear these updates repeatedly on radio or television, our 20 Deaf community often receives little to no information, leaving them vulnerable and 21 uninformed. 22 This bill’s certainty that American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are present 23 during all visual broadcasts and official functions will provide equal access to vital 24 information and empower our Deaf residents to prepare, respond, and recover with 25 confidence. 26 I want to highlight some recommendations for successful implcmentation: 27 First, the current language of this bill does not specify an amount to be allocated for 28 this purpose. Without clear funding, this crucial legislation risks becoming an 29 unfunded mandate and may face delays in implementation. 30 Additionally, our territory is experiencing a shortage of local ASL interpreters due 31 to scheduling and procurement challenges. Most interpreters work for the 32 Department of Education or hold other jobs, making availability limited. These local 33 interpreters are especially important because they help overcome cultural 34 communication barriers that out-of-state interpreters often misinterpret when 35 serving our deaf community members. 36 To ensure consistent availability across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, we 37 recommend simplifying the contracting process to allow qualified interpreters to 38 provide services even if they do not hold a business license. 39 Next, create an accessible video archive. We recommend that VITEMA post all 40 emergency briefings with ASL interpretation on its official website. This will allow 41 individuals to revisit the information for clarity and reassurance. Testimony on Bill No. 36-0190 Terrüorial ADA Conydinnior Julien E. Henley SI.. December 2, 2025 Page 2 of! 42 Lastly, it is vital to plan ahead for the 2026 hurricane season and beyond. Interpreters 43 should be integrated into emergency planning now, and fi.uids should be budgeted to 44 cover services for disasters throughout the year. 45 In conclusion, 1 commend Senator Boiques for his leadership on this issue. By 46 passing Bill No. 36-0 190, the Virgin Islands sends a clear message: that we value 47 accessibility, equity, and the safety of all our residents. This legislation will give our 48 Deaf community the comfort of knowing they will receive critical information in 49 real time. so I humbly submit this testimony into the legislative record and am available to answer 51 any questions the Committee may have. Thank you for your attention and for your 52 continued commitment to inclusive governance in the Virgin Islands.