GSAT Hosts 26th Annual Assistive Technology Fair “Leading Our 2020 Vision”

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and one of the highlights of the month is the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Fair. This year’s theme, “Assistive Technology: Leading Our 2020 Vision,” showcased the advancements in technology and services available for the commuity. GSAT, in collaboration with the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) and Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center (GLS-DLC), held the fair on March 7 at Agana Shopping Center.

The fair gave the public an opportunity to network with service providers and learn about available services and programs. There were twenty-eight vendors who participated in the fair. They included various programs from the Department of Public Health and Social Services , Guam Client Assistance Program, WestCare Pacific Islands, Office of the Public Guardian, Ross Hearing Aids, Helen Keller National Center / ICanConnect Program, Guam American Sign Language – Machanao Congregation, Guma’ Mami, Inc., Guam Department of Education Student Parent Community Engagement Project, Guam Community College Office of Accommodative Services, Autism Community Together, Department of Integrated Service for Individuals with Disabilities, Health Services of the Pacific, The Medical City, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, Phil MD – St. Lukes Medical Center, Parents Empowering Parents, Pacific Human Resource Services Inc., and TOHGE (Transforming Guahan through Healing, Growth, & Enrichment). Vendors were given an opportunity to present brief descriptions of their agency/organization. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters were present to assist with communication for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH). AT devices and equipment were on hand for participants to try out with assistance provided by Guam CEDDERS staff.

Maria Bontogon and Rodney Calimlim, both individuals with disabilities, were available to demonstrate the devices they use to access information and help them perform activities of daily living. The fair also showcased The Guam Community College ASL students who performed songs in sign language and the “MagicMan” show with Wally Wusstig.

Si Yu’os Ma’ase to the staff, vendors, and participants who made the fair a successful event.

Highlights from the Assistive Technology Fair

GSAT Provides Resources to UOG School of Health

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination

On February 5, Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, provided several resources including the Pripara Hao Emergency Preparedness Guide for Persons with Disabilities, Behavioral Health and Disabilities Glossary in Chamoru, and Guam Directory of Services for Individuals with Disabilities to the University of Guam School of Health Team. Pictured above from (left-right): Leah Abelon, Guam CEDDERS, GSAT Coordinator; Janice Ada, UOG School of Health Education, Training Coordinator; Veronica B. Alave, MSN/ED, RN; and Margaret Hattori-Uchima, RN, PhD, Dean of the School of Health and Assistant Professor. Not pictured: Jaysleen Lainos and Clarissa Leon Guerrero, UOG Social Work practicum students

Lion’s Club Holds Health Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

On February 01, Marie Wusstig, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, conducts a hearing screening during the Lions Club Health Fair at the Micronesia Mall. Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) and Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) participated in the Lions Club Health Fair held at the Micronesia Mall. Information and resources were provided to attendees on the importance of early hearing screening, detection of hearing loss, enrollment into early intervention services, and information on parent support group services available to families of children with a hearing loss.

University of Guam Social Work Interns Jaysleen Lainos (left) and Clarissa Leon Guerrero (middle) share resources with fair participants.

SKI-HI Institute Facilitates Deaf Mentor Training on Guam

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

Two years of preparation and hard work to bring the SKI-HI Institute’s Deaf Mentor Program to Guam came to fruition. On January 15, SKI-HI Institute Deaf Mentor trainers, Paula Pittman and Jodee Crace met with Cathy Tydingco, Guam Department of Education Part C Coordinator – Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) to discuss the critical role GEIS holds in the development of a Deaf Mentor Program for the island’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children birth to 5-years-old and their families. The success of the program relies on the partnership between the GEIS Service Providers and the Deaf Mentors working together to provide families with the best services possible.

SKI-HI lead trainer Paula Pittman is no stranger to Guam. Her last visit was about 10 years ago when she conducted SKI-HI training for teachers and service providers of DHH infants. This was Ms. Crace’s first trip to the island as a SKI-HI trainer for Deaf Mentors. Ms. Crace is a DHH adult and one of a team of three trainers for the Deaf Mentor component of the SKI-HI curriculum. SKI-HI programs can be found throughout the United States as well as countries such as South Africa, England, Poland and a few areas in China to name a few. The unique aspect of the Deaf Mentor Training compared to other trainings is that the entire training is done in American Sign Language (ASL). Participants are required to be fluent in ASL to attend the three-day training. From January 16-18, 13 deaf adults participated in the rigorous training to build the island’s local capacity of Deaf Mentors at the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) training room located at the University of Guam. Of the 13 trainees, 11 completed the program.

To better understand the SKI-HI Deaf Mentor Program, Guam CEDDERS’ Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Deaf Mentor Program invited GEIS and Guam Positive Parents Together (GPPT) staff to participate on the first day to receive an overview of the program. Two ASL interpreters were present on day one to interpret for the hearing attendees of the training.

This was a first for both interpreters and hearing adults present during day one of training. GEIS, GPPT, and EHDI staff, as well as interpreters gained the unique experience of the communication challenges DHH adults face on a daily basis in the hearing world. Interpreters shared that they are used to and most comfortable when interpreting in ASL for DHH community; however, when voicing the signs from DHH individuals to hearing individuals, the task was more challenging in conveying the message that the DHH speaker intends to relay. The completion of this training forged stronger connections between the Deaf Mentors and GPPT. The GPPT Parent Support Group is currently planning activities to bring the deaf adults in contact with families of children identified with a hearing loss. Guam CEDDERS continues to work with Guam’s Special Education personnel to develop an approach to utilize and maximize the skills acquired by the identified Deaf Mentors.

The SKI-HI curriculum for early intervention and training began in 1972. The institute is currently part of the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Families are given choices, illuminated to possibilities, given information and skills and are strengthened in confidence, appreciation and love of their child, as well as envisioning a future full of hope for their child.

On January 18, participants completed a three-day SKI-HI Deaf Mentor Training held on January 16, 17, and 18, at the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) conference room. This intensive three-day training was conducted in American Sign Language (ASL) by SKI-HI Deaf Mentor instructors, Paula Pittman and Jodee Crace. The purpose of the training is to provide a foundation for development of the Deaf Mentor Program on Guam. Pictured Front Row (left-right): Michelle Aguigui, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS, Bong Sun Ahn, Cory Mendiola, Paula Pittman, Ph.D. SKI-HI, Jodee Crace, MA, SKI-HI, Cory Mendiola. Back Row (left-right): Tasha Hanley, Normie Ilustre, Myra Aguon, Janice Toves, Melencia Porto, Eufrocino Porto, Christopher Taitingfong, Francisco R. Perez, Jr., and Regina Hawkins. Not Pictured: Tanya Simer, Research Associate, Guam CEDDERS and Marie Wusstig, Training Associate, Guam CEDDERS.

On January 16, Myra Aguon (left), Deaf Mentor trainee, introduces herself as Deaf Mentor Trainers Jodee Crace and Paula Pittman, from Utah State University, SKI-HI Institute watch and listen intently.

On January 16, members of the Deaf Community shared about themselves and what they hope to gain after the three-day SKI-HI Deaf Mentor Training. Pictured sitting at the table (left-right): Normie Ilustre, Bong Sun Ahn, Christopher Taitingfong, and Regina Hawkins.

On January 16, after discussion and brainstorming with her group members, Myra Aguon records potential “Challenges” and “Solutions” a Deaf Mentor may encounter during a home visit as Paula Pittman seizes the moment to capture a photo of the group in action. Pictured from (left-right): Eufrocino Porto, Myra Aguon, Normie Ilustre, Paula Pittman, Director SKI-HI and Deaf Mentor Outreach, SKI-HI Institute, Utah State University.

On January 16, participants worked collaboratively in small groups to discuss and list the characteristics of an effective Deaf Mentor. Pictured (left-right): Tasha Hanley, Cory Mendiola, Regina Hawkins, Normie Ilustre, Christopher Taitingfong, and Melencia Porto. Not Shown: Francisco R. Perez, Jr., Janice Toves, and Jude Ogo.

On January 18, as part of the training activities, participants broke into two groups to play a game of “Trivia”. Each team generated a list of famous Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults. The team with the most unduplicated names determined the winner of the “Trivia” game. Pictured (left-right): Tasha Hanley, Normie Ilustre, Melencia Porto, Christopher Taitingfong, and Regina Hawkins.

Families Participate in Workshops for Improving Literacy Using Online Resources

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Department of Education

Two Guam Department of Education (GDOE) State Systemic Improvement Project (SSIP) schools provided family engagement workshops for parents centered on improving literacy. The schools were M.U. Lujan Elementary and J. M. Guerrero Elementary. M.U. Lujan Elementary held their session on December 19, 2019 and J.M. Guerrero Elementary held their session on January 14. Both sessions were conducted at the respective schools. A combined total of 144 parents participated in the workshops. The workshops were focused on the online family toolkit from the National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL). Using laptops provided by the schools, parents were given the opportunity to explore the NCIL website for parent resources and tools that can be used to support reading at home. The sessions were an extension of the Pacific SSIP Collaborative which was held on Guam in October 2019. As part of the Pacific SSIP Collaborative, Sarah Sayko, Deputy Director of NCIL, conducted a workshop for families and school personnel on October 12, 2019. The SSIP principals who attended the sessions took back the information to their school community and had their own workshops to share this valuable online resource.