UOG Students visit GSAT

by Jenika Ballesta Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On March 29, 2018, Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, facilitated a presentation and demonstration on Assistive Technology to students in the “Introduction to Exceptional Individuals” Course at the University of Guam. This course investigates exceptionalities, including disabling conditions. Pictured here is Dr. Catherine Cardenas and her students.

24th Annual GSAT Conference Assistive Technology; Breaking Barriers to Accessibility and Independence

by Jenika Ballesta Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Model Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Continuing Education Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

On 2 March 2018 Maria Bontogon, a student at the University of Guam, conducted a presentation on her assistive technology device called the Orcam for participants atending the 24th Annual Assistive Technology Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam. The Orcam is capable of reading printed text from any surface or material such as books, banknotes, barcodes, and can distinguish between faces/colors. The Orcam supports accessibility for Self-advocates with vision and print impairments.
Jeff Warfield, a Social Worker with the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), presented on Accessible Parking requirements during the GSAT Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam on March 2. The presentation focused on the requirements for providing “Accessible Parking” at all Government and Business facilities, including the “Path of Travel” requirements under the American with Disabilities Act, and how to apply for an “Accessible Parking Placard” or License Plate”.
Evelyn Duenas, Self-Advocate, is shown having a discussion with Elaine Eclavea at the Learn to Sign Act Early Display Table during the Annual Assistive Technology Conference on March 2. Featured at the table was the: CDC Milestone Developmental Tracker App which explains the importance of knowing how children grow, learn and develop properly from two months to five years. Paying close attention to how they play, learn, speak, act and move provide cues to the development of young children. The Developmental Tracker App makes tracking developmental milestones much easier and fun.
On 2 March 2018 , Tia Ivanko, Technical Assistance Coordinator, and Stephanie Zito, Technical Assistance Specialist from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes, conducted one of the keynote presentations on how technology is an important tool to reduce barriers and increase communication access for deaf individuals in both education and employment environments during the Annual GSAT Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam. Their session included a myriad of options available for assistive and communication technology for education and training settings. Participants were given guidance, tools, and resources essential to employing effective services for deaf Self-advocates.
Finia Kachita, a student at Guam Community College, demonstrated how she uses her AT device called the KNFB Reader. This AT device converts printed text to speech or Braille instantly and accurately. It features the best optical character recognition (OCR) technology available and uses patented image detection technology to quickly and easily detect and decipher printed text anywhere and at any time. It helps blind, low-vision, dyslexic, and other print-disabled users live the lives they want, independently.
Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant, provides a brief explanation of points shared on the State Rehabilitation Council Information Board to one of the conference attendees. The Information Board lists a variety of improvements that need to be addressed by Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide better services for people with disabilities on Guam. Shawni also discussed how the information may affect his personal, academic and employment endeavors in the future. Having technology, innovation and awareness are important tools to reduce barriers and increase communication access for individuals with disabilities as they pursue educational and employment goals.

State Rehabilitation Council Outreach Committee Training and Work Session

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) Outreach Committee held their Training and Work Session Meeting on February 5 at GSAT House 19 Dean Circle. Attendees included, (Sitting, L-R) Lou Mesa, SRC Chairperson; Jeanette Yamashita, Member; (Standing, L-R) Leah Abelon, Outreach Chairperson; Erlinda Tydingco, SRC Vice Chairperson and Outreach Committee Member; and Laura Taisipic. The SRC Outreach Committee oversees all program planning and program review related to providing outreach to the disability community and state and federal collaborators.

Guam CEDDERS provided GSAT and Akudi Brochures to Naval Base Guam School Liaison Officer

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Guam CEDDERS provided GSAT and Akudi brochures and copies of the 2017 Neni Directory of Services for Young Children to Barbara Askey (right), Naval Base Guam School Liaison Officer, on January 16, for the upcoming Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) Workshop for military parents who have children with special needs. School Liaison Officers help connect military families, commands, and Kindergarten – 12 th Grade schools.

Guam State Rehabilitation Council Executive Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On January 11, the State Rehabilitation Council, held its first Executive Meeting at the DVR Conference Room. (Front row, L-R) Jeanette Yamashita, Planning and Resource Committee Chairperson; Laura Taisipic, Planning and Resources Committee Vice Chairperson; and Barbara Johnson, Services Committee member. (Second row, L-R) Ben Servino, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Director; Erlinda Tydingco, SRC Vice Chairperson; Lou Mesa, SRC Chairperson; Pete Barcinas, SRC Secretary; Leah Abelon, Outreach Committee Chairperson; and Edmund Cruz, Services Committee Chairperson. The State Rehabilitation Council provides clients of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with a mechanism to influence the direction of the rehabilitation programs in Guam at the System Policy Level.

GSAT Advisory Council Executive Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Model Services Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Uncategorized
The GSAT Advisory Council Executive members held their quarterly meeting on January 9 at GSAT, House 19. (Pictured L-R, clockwise) Barbara Johnson, Secretary; Ben Servino, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Director; Lou Mesa, Chairperson; Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator; Evangelis Babauta (standing), ASL Interpreter; Evelyn Duenas, Vice Chairperson; and Josephine Cortez, Member at Large. (Not shown) Dawn Maka, Member at Large. The executive members meets to developand approve the agenda for the upcoming GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting on January 23, 2018.

Individual Receives Assistive Technology from the Helen Keller National Center

by Jenika Ballesta Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On January 12, 2018, Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator, provided technical assistance to Clifford Ray Hackett, who was the first recipient of technology through the iCanConnect – The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) administered by the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC).  The NDBEDP is a national program designed to help the many thousands of people in the U.S. with significant combined hearing and vision loss to connect with their family, friends, and community through distance communication technology.  For those who qualify for the program and meet income eligibility guidelines, equipment and training for distance communication is provided for free. Guam CEDDERS  recently established a collaborative relationship with HKNC to assist with demonstration, training, and technical assistance of Assistive Technology for individuals who are eligible for program support.

GSAT Conducts Presentation on Assistive Technology in the Workplace

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Uncategorized
On October 27, Leah Abelon (left), GSAT Center Coordinator, demonstrates the Specs4Us frames to Naomi Sanchez (center), Guam Legal Services – Disability Law Center Advocate, and Emilani Blas (right), Social Work Intern at Guam Legal Services – Disability Law Center, during a presentation on Assistive Technology in the Workplace.