National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation Signing

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On October 9, 2018, Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio signed a proclamation, declaring October, “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” This year’s theme is, “America’s Workforce Empowering All.” Activities during the month will reinforce the values and talents people with disabilities add to the workplace. Two events will be hosted by the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities and Pacific Human Resource Services Inc.: An Employer Conference and Community Fair on October 24 from 8am to 3:30pm at the Hotel Nikko Guam and an Applicant with Disabilities Conference Resource/Job Fair on October 27, 2018 from 8:00am to 3:30pm at the Tamuning Community Center. To culminate the month’s activities, an Appreciation Picnic is planned for November 3 at Ypao Beach from 11:00am at Pavilions F1-F3.

Guam State Rehabilitation Council General Membership Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio provides input on the SRC’s Policies / Standard Operating Procedures during the SRC General Membership Meeting on September 20, 2018.
On September 20, 2019, the Guam State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) held their General Membership Meeting at the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Conference Room. Amendments to the Policies/ Standard Operating Procedures, Resolutions and SRC Contractual Needs were discussed. In attendance were (Sitting L-R) Benito Servino, DISID Director; Leah Abelon, SRC Outreach Committee Chairperson; Lourdes Ann Mesa, SRC Chairperson; Rodney Calimlim, Member; second row L-R: Gina Arca, Member; Marie Libria, Disability Advocacy Group Representative; Barbara Johnson, Member; Marie Leon Guerrero, Member; Carol Darlow, Parent Training and Information Center Representative; Conchita San Nicolas Taitano, Member; Therese Matanane, Member; third row L-R: Eddy Reyes, SRC Treasurer; Peter Barcinas, SRC Secretary; Sam Ilesugam, Services Committee Vice Chair; and Tim Murphy, State Independent Living Council Representative. The Guam State Rehabilitation Council provides clients of the Division of Vocation Rehabilitation with a mechanism to influence the direction of rehabilitation programs in Guam at the systemic policy level. During the meeting, Conchita Taitano and Gina Arca were sworn in by Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio as new members of the SRC.

ROSS Program Explores GSAT Services

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On August 28, 2018, Ronnie Santos from the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority Resident Opportunity Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Program met with Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, to explore the various Assistive Technology devices and GSAT services available for ROSS clients. The ROSS program assists the elderly and individuals with disabilities by linking these individuals to services within the community that can help sustain and maintain independent living.

Assistive Technology Device Demonstration

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On August 28, 2018, Charles Sallinger and Irene Bustos-Sallinger visited the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) to explore Assistive Technology options for individuals with visual impairments. GSAT demonstrated the Clearview + Speech CCT, a 24″ video magnifier with color contrast and text to speech capabilities; the Eyepal ROL, a portable scanner and reader; and the Smartview Versa Portable Electronic Magnifier, a handheld electronic magnifier that magnifies up to 15x and also has color contrast features. Through the short term device loan, Mr. Sallinger borrowed the Smartview Versa portable electronic magnifier to help determine if the device will meet his needs.

Guam EHDI Project Fitme & GSAT Staff Participates in Weekend Outreach Event

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination
On Saturday, August 25, 2018, the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Guam EHDI) Project Fitme and Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) participated in the 5th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Fair at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. Guam EHDI and GPPT shared information about initial hearing screening for newborns and parent supports available to families of children identified with a hearing loss. Pictured at the event were (sitting, L-R): Susan Dugan, GPPT Project Fitme Parent Support Coordinator; and Marie Wusstig, Guam EHDI Project Coordinator. Also participating in this outreach activity were (L-R, standing) Pauline Camacho, Karinu Lead Family Partner; and Bertha Diamond, Karinu Family Partner.

On August 25, 2018, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) and the Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (GHEDI) programs represented Guam CEDDERS at the 5th Annual Breast Feeding Awareness Health Fair. The event was hosted by the Breastfeeding Action Team of the Non-Communicable Disease Consortium under the Department of Public Health & Social Services. This year’s theme was “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life,” which focused on the support, promotion, and protection of breastfeeding.

Automark Accessible Voting Machine Now Available at the Guam Election Commission

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Guam Election Commision staff provided information to a participant during the 24th Annual GSAT Assistive Technology Conference on March 2, 2018 at the Westin Resort Guam. The Automark is a ballot marking device that provides autonomy to voters who are blind, visually impaired, or have a disability or condition that makes it difficult to traditionally mark a ballot. The voting machine was obtained by the Guam Election Commission in 2016 and has since made the device available for voters with disabilities to cast their votes independently. Voters who wish to use the AutoMark may do so during the In-Office Absentee voting period for the Primary Election from July 26, 2018 through August 24, 2018 from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For the General Election, the In-Office Absentee voting period runs from October 8, 2018 through November 5, 2018 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voters will need to bring their government-issued photo ID to vote. For more information, individuals can contact Guam Election Commission at 477-9791.

GSAT Participates in the Bae Day Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On August 5, 2018, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) participated in the Bae Day Island-wide Fair at the Agana Shopping Center. The community event, hosted by Spark, a program under the Westcare Pacific Islands, hopes to raise awareness of healthy relationships and provide opportunities for families to engage in conversations and activities that strengthen their relationships. Pictured here are two participants who visited the GSAT table to learn about the various devices used to keep the home monitored as well as adaptive grooming aids for individuals who have limited hand function.