DISID Conducts ADA Recognition & Awards

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 31, 2018, Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio and Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Director Ben Servino presented Certificates of Appreciation to individuals who facilitated ADA Workshops during ADA Awareness Month activities in July. GSAT Center Coordinator Leah Abelon facilitated a workshop on Creating Accessible Office Documents and Using Windows Ease of Access. Other recipients include representatives from Pacific Human Resource Service Inc., staff from DISID, and ADA Coordinators. Also present during the ADA Recognition and Awards Presentation was former Public Auditor Doris Flores Brooks.

ADA Workshop Addresses Accessibility

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 27, 2018, Leah Abelon, Guam System for Assistive Technology Center Coordinator, presented an interactive workshop entitled “Creating Accessible Office Documents and Using Windows Ease of Access at the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Computer Lab. Participants included staff from DISID, Public Defender Service Corporation, and AmeriCorps. The workshop highlighted topics on visibility, audibility, and mobility. The workshop also focused on ensuring that documents are structured correctly for individuals with disabilities to be able to access them.
Participants were given the opportunity to explore the accessibility settings using the the exercise materials provided.

GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting Held

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 24, 2018, the GSAT Advisory Council held their General Membership Meeting at the GSAT Conference Room. Topics included the progress of GSAT’s State Level and Leadership Activities, Assistive Technology purchases, and a report on the recently concluded Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) Conference. In attendance were, (pictured from left, clockwise) Evelyn Duenas, Vice – Chairperson; Benito Servino, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Representative; Crystal Koch and Noemi Sanchez, Guam Legal Services – Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC) Representatives; Raymond Sayas, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) Representative; Barbara Johnson, Secretary; Lourdes Ann Mesa, Chairperson. Present but not in the photo: Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator and Ivan Babauta, ASL Interpreter.

GSAT Advisory Council Executive Committee Conducts Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On July 10, 2018, the GSAT Advisory Council Executive Committee met to develop and approve the agenda for the upcoming GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting. (Pictured from left, clockwise) Dawn Maka, Member-at-Large; Lourdes Ann Mesa, Chairperson; Kirstin Rosario, ASL Interpreter; Evelyn Duenas, Vice-Chairperson, Josephine Cortez, Member-at-Large; and Barbara Johnson, Secretary; B Lou Mesa, Chairperson; Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator; Evangelis Babauta (standing), ASL Interpreter; Evelyn Duenas, Vice Chairperson; and Josephine Cortez, Member at Large.

Guam State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) Facilitates General Membership Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On June 21, 2018, the Guam State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) held their General Membership Meeting. The SRC, in partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), is comprised of individuals whose collective purpose is to review, analyze, and advise regarding Guam’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Pictured from right, clockwise: Eddy Reyes, SRC Treasurer; Lourdes Ann Mesa, SRC Chairperson; Rodney Calimlim, Outreach Committee Member; Tim Murphy, Outreach Committee Member; Lynn Tydingco, SRC Vice-Chairperson; Marie Libria, Services Committee Member; Barbara Johnson, Services Committee Member, Leah Abelon, Outreach Committee Chairperson; Carol Darlow, Services Committee Member; Geraldine Aguon, Division Vocational Rehabilitation Representative (DVR); Rita Sotomayor, DVR Administrative Services Officer; Benito Servino; Acting DVR Administrator; and Edmund Cruz, Services Committee Chairperson.

GSAT Attends 7th Annual Guam Conference on Aging

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On May 31, 2018, Shawni Acfalle, Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Center Assistant, shares information about assistive technology with a participant at the 7th Annual Guam Conference on Aging hosted by the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), Division of Senior Citizens (DSC) at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa.

GSAT Attends the Ability Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant, demonstrates an Assistive Technology device that can provide assistance for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to participants during the Ability Fair on May 18, 2018 at the Sinajana Community Center. The Fair, hosted by Guma Mami, featured the strengths of individuals with disabilities by displaying their crafts and provided an opportunity to search for employment.

DOE Student Receives Device Loan from GSAT

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Vision Teacher, Diane Artero (left), visits GSAT with student Mara Oneichu (center) and Mara’s mother, Maxie Oneichu (right). Mara borrowed the BrailleNote Touch 32 Notetaker, a note-taking device for individuals who are blind. Mara will be using the BrailleNote Touch 32 Notetaker to assist in the completion of her final project for the school year.

Guam CEDDERS Participates in Social Work Practicum Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Continuing Education Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On April 20, 2018, Guam CEDDERS participated in the ​University of Guam, ​Social Work Practicum Fair held at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration Building. The fair provided an opportunity to help inform Social Work ​​students choose a field placement​ for their senior year​. ​Vera Blaz (left) Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, looks on as Tanya Simer (middle), current GSAT ​Social Work ​student intern​​, shares information​ about her experiences​ ​with​ Tiffany DeMesa (right), ​student, ​during the Practicum Fair.

Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Along with Guam System for Assistive Technology Attend the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Representatives of the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) and Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) attend the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Agana Shopping Center (Pictured L-R: Shawni Acfalle, GSAT AT Center Assistant; Joseph Taijeron, Social Work intern; Ruth Leon Guerrero, Office Technician (standing); and Marie Wusstig (EHDI Coordinator)
Social Work intern, Tanya Simer (Left) and AT Center Assistant, Shawni Acfalle (Center) demonstrate a switch adapted toy to children visiting the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) display table during the 11th Annual Autism Awareness Fair held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Agana Shopping Center.