EPICS Program Shares Recruitment Information

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation
Two individuals seated facing each other.
Dr. Gloria Weddington, Project EPICS San Jose State University Guam Liaison, met with Frank Hariuchi, Special Education Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Republic of the Marshall Islands, on July 30 after the OSEP Leadership Conference. Dr. Weddington was providing information on EPICS, which stands for “Educating Pacific Islander Clinicians in Speech Language Pathology” slated to start in September 2015.

Guam CEDDERS Posters Go On Display at the 25th Anniversary of the ADA Festival

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy
Four individuals standing holding posters.
Resources materials developed by Guam CEDDERS and funded by CEDDERS’ AIDD Core Grant were put on display at the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Festival held at the Smithsonian Museum of American History on July 24-26. Copies of the posters, featuring advocates on Guam, are also being given to AIDD for display at the AIDD offices in Washington, DC. Celebrating the ADA. Receiving the posters are: (left to right) Shakia Baskerville, MPH, Presidential Management Fellow, Office of External Affairs, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Shia Byers, Summer Intern, American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD), Andrew Morris, MPH, Policy Analyst, Office of the Commissioner, Administration on Disabilities, Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health & Human Services
  • Individual seated at table with hand on braille sheet speaking into a microphone as other individuals look on.

    Lisa Ogo, GSAT Advisory Council Member reads the Council’s Resolution on Community Living, Choice, and Assistive Technology at the Transition into Community Living Conference held at the Westin Guam Resort and Spa on July 31.

  • Individual in wheelchair speaking with individual standing behind table with various assistive technology devices.

    Andrew Gumataotao (standing), GSAT student office assistant, provided assistive technology device demonstrations to conference participants.

  • Individual standing at podium next to two large screens while crowd of participants look on.

    Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS faculty, presented the No Wrong Door Initiative which is aimed at ensuring that all persons of all ages are able to access information for needed supports.

  • A crowded ballroom sits watching presentation.

    Conference participants listen attentively to Daren Burrier, Assistant Fire Chief, as he shares information in line with recent legislation about a new voluntary emergency online registry.

  • Individual standing on stage with six other individuals seated behind a table center stage.

    Andrew Tydingco (standing), Vice-President for Self Advocates in Action, shares information about their non-profit organization, and the role it plays in community living for individuals with disabilities as other members of the community resources panel look on.

GSAT Hosts Transition into the Community Conference

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Developmental Disabilities Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy

On July 31, 2015, at the Westin Resort, 130 people participated in this event titled Transition into Community Living: An Assistive Technology Training for Individuals with Disabilities, Family Members, and Service Providers. The day kicked off with GSAT’s program coordinator Carla Torres presenting on GSAT’s long standing commitment to the Guam community to assist individuals with disabilities live productive, independent, and happy lives. GSAT’s Advisory Council read their Resolution on Community Living, Choice, and Assistive Technology which helped to set the perspective of the day.

ADA 25th Anniversary & IDEA 40th Anniversary Celebration – Short Film Schedule

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Self-Advocacy

Short Film Schedule:

Faces of Autism
A short film series that features local families sharing their stories on living with autism.

Docomo Channel 2 (Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00pm) May 19, May 28
Kuam TV11 (Saturdays & Sundays at 7pm) May 24, June 6, June 13 
PBS Channel 12 (Sunday at 8:00pm) May 24, May 25 (re-broadcast 6:30pm) 

Eric
Aline Yamashita, Ph.D., a senator in the 31st Guam Legislature, is a lifelong educator. She has been a University of Guam Professor, and is a former Deputy Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education. But first and foremost, she is a mother. She candidly shares her experiences and views on raising a child with autism in this video interview. “Eric” A Parent Advocate Profile” paints a raw, compelling, at times humorous, and emotionally moving story while providing some advice to families, teachers, and to the community at large.

Kuam TV11 (Saturdays & Sundays at 7pm) May 17, May 30, June 7
Docomo Channel 2 (Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00pm) May 21, June 2
PBS Channel 12 (Sunday at 7:00pm) May 31, June 1 (re-broadcast 6:30pm)

Bernadette
This is a story of Bernadette Colet, a 35 year-old athlete, artist, worker, altar server, joker, friend, and all around charmer who happens to have Down Syndrome. Told through the voice of her mother and father, “Bernadette” aims to increase public awareness about people with Down Syndrome and advocates that people with disabilities need opportunities and given a chance, just like everyone else.

Assistive Technology and Educational Success
This educational video features the use of assistive technology in the educational setting.

Guam Systems for Assistive Technology 20 Years in Assistive Technology
A video that highlights the history of the Guam System for Assistive Technology from its inception to the present.

Kuam TV11 (Saturdays & Sundays at 7pm) May 23, May 31
Docomo Channel 2:  Wednesday, May 27, 9:00pm; Friday, May 29, 9:00pm; Tuesday, June 2, 9:00pm; Thursday, June 4, 9:00pm
PBS Channel 12 (Sunday at 8:00pm) June 7, June 8 (re-broadcast 6:30pm)

  • The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council held a Celebrity Bagging Event on March 14 at the Pay-Less Market located at the Micronesia Mall. (Pictured left to right): Megan Boswell, Self-Advocate and Christine Calvo, First Lady of Guam, assist each other in bagging groceries for a customer.

  • Photo of Andrew Tydingco, SiñA, Vice President, Senator Dennis Rodriguez, and Senator Jim Espaldon greeting customers as they leave with their groceries bagged.

    The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council held a Celebrity Bagging Event on March 14 at the Pay-Less Market located at the Micronesia Mall. (Pictured left to right): Andrew Tydingco, SiñA, Vice President, Senator Dennis Rodriguez, and Senator Jim Espaldon greet customers as they leave with their groceries bagged by local celebrities in the disability community and government.

  • Group photo of the Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, and representatives from the Guam Tri-Agency.

    Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, Acting Governor, signed a proclamation declaring the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month on Guam. Attending the event were representatives from the Guam Tri-Agency, comprised of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center and University of Guam CEDDERS. Also attending were members of Guam’s state recognized self-advocacy group SiñA: Self-Advocates in Action as well as agency representatives from the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Division of Support Services.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Highlights!

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities

March was Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! The Tri-Agency along with SiñA collaborated to host a series of events to celebrate and promote public awareness of developmental disabilities. The events included the annual GSAT Conference & Fair, a Celebrity Bagging at Pay-Less Supermarket, and the Guam Developmental Disability Council Family Fun Day, which took place this year at the Sinajaña Community Center. Self-Advocates, families, and advocates joined together to celebrate accomplishments, talk about future activities, and most of all, to establish or renew friendships.