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

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Developmental Disabilities Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy

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

Guest Speakers Share Experiences with Social Work Class

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Continuing Education Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Self-Advocacy
On February 28, the Social Work class of Terrie Fejarang and Michelle Aguigui were honored to have Tashia Hanley (standing), as a guest speaker. Ms. Hanley, an individual who is deaf, shared her life growing up in Oregon and her experiences when she moved to Guam.
On February 21, the Social Work class of Ms. Terrie Fejarang and Michelle Aguigui was fortunate to have Ms. Myra Aguon, a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities, present her various experiences as an individual who is deaf and how people can communicate with community members who are deaf and hard of hearing.
On March 06, Alina Butler (standing), a student majoring in Social Work, shared her very emotional journey in growing up with a disability, dealing with self-esteem issues, and how she was able to overcome these challenges.

Self-Advocates Participate in Stakeholder Input Session

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Developmental Disabilities Self-Advocacy
April 11, 2019: Guam CEDDERS facilitated a stakeholder input session with self-advocates and family advocates/personal care assistants to provide input on the progress of services and supports as outlined in the Tri-Agencies Five-Year-Work Plan at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa. Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Consultant (sitting center), utilized the World Cafe process to enable participants to focus on specific topics and share feedback on assistive technology, public awareness, and self-advocacy.

Guam CEDDERS facilitates Stakeholder Input Session with Service Providers

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy
April 9, 2019: Guam CEDDERS facilitated a stakeholder input session with several government agencies and advocacy groups to provide input on the progress of services and supports as outlined in the Tri-Agencies Five-Year-Work Plan at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa. Mary Kidd, Guam CEDDERS Consultant, utilized the World Cafe process to enable participants to focus on specific topics and share feedback on assistive technology, public awareness, and self-advocacy.

Train-the-trainer Self-Advocacy Workshop Held

by Guam CEDDERS CEDDERS CORE Self-Advocacy
February 16, 2019: Five Self-Advocates gather with Guam CEDDERS staff following completion of a 2-day Self-Advocacy Train the Trainer Workshop, February 9 and 16, 2019 at GSAT. Front row (L-R): Self-Advocates Maria Bontogon, Barbara Johnson, and Candice Perry. Back row (L-R): Kunta Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern; Mary Kidd, CEDDERS Consultant, Esther Gina Arca and Silvestre San Nicolas, Self-Advocates; and Tanya Simer, Guam CEDDERS staff.
February 16, 2019: Self-Advocates review an activity in one of five modules of the Self-Advocacy Training Program for Individuals with Disabilities at a Train the Trainer Workshop held at GSAT. Seated clockwise are: Silvestre San Nicolas, Self-Advocate; Mary Kidd, CEDDERS Consultant; Maria Bontogon, Candice Perry, and Barbara Johnson, Self-Advocates; and Kunta Edmond, UOG Social Work Intern.
February 9, 2019: (Clockwise) Maria Bontogon, Barbara Johnson, Candice Perry and Silvestre San Nicolas participate in a Train-the-Trainer Self-Advocacy Workshop with E. Gina Arca (not shown) at GSAT. Facilitating is Mary Kidd with Evangelis Babauta, ASL interpreter.

GPPT/Project Fitme Facilitates Parent Leadership Training on Self-Advocacy

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Self-Advocacy

November 17, 2018: Susan Dugan, GPPT/Project Fitme Coordinator, facilitated a Parent Leadership Training on Self-Advocacy for parents and family members at the Hagatna Library. The training focused on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC) and other resources parents can access to ensure their child receives Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Additional information on how Parent Mentors can offer additional support as parents navigate resources for their children’s needs. (Pictured from left to right) John Mabayag, Jay-Lynn Mendiola, Trisha Suzuki, Caleb Suzuki, Susan R. Dugan, Program Coordinator; Evelyn Topasna, and Ashley Babauta.

Promoting Self-Advocacy

by Guam CEDDERS Self-Advocacy
4 individuals sitting around a table.
2016 marks the 10 year anniversary of I Linå’lå-ta “Our Life’ newsletter. To commemorate this milestone, Guam CEDDERS met with Lynn and Andrew Tydingco to discuss the process of passing the torch of producing the newsletter to Self-Advocates in Action (SiñA) for years to come. Attending this initial meeting were (L-R, clockwise) Andrew Tydingco, SiñA Representative, Sherry Guerrero, Guam CEDDERS, Lynn Tydingco, SiñA Representative, and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS.

UOG Students Explore Assistive Technology

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Demonstration Services Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training Developmental Disabilities Disability Studies Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Information Dissemination Self-Advocacy

Three students in assistive technology center.
A Scavenger Hunt assignment was given to the seven students enrolled in UOG’s ED443, Assistive Technology class. Their assignment was given to them to familiarize themselves with GSAT, its vast array of technology, and an opportunity for “hands-on” exploration of its lending library. The students were given multiple scenarios/circumstances in which they needed to identify a minimum of two assistive technology devices, ranging from low to high tech that would assist in providing sufficient support in those areas. In the photo above, Ann Flores, Anntonette Quiambao, and Gabriel Posadas, (L-R) came in to GSAT on November 13, 2015, to complete their scavenger hunt.
Student sitting at desk.
Gabriel Posadas, a student from the University of Guam’s UOG’s ED443- Assistive Technology class, explores features of a software program designed to help students with learning disabilities who struggle with reading and writing.