OUR LIFE I Lina'la-ta September 10, 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 3 Administration on Developmental Disabilities Tri-Agency JACOB CRUZ: MAN WITH A MISSION Jacob Cruz is a man with a mission. His goal: to graduate from the University of Guam with a degree in Cruise Line Management. The path Jacob has chosen has not been an easy one. In fact, he was originally supposed to graduate in 1990, but went off-track. In a recent interview, Jacob shared that, "as a teenager, I was what you could call 'a little stubborn.' I thought I knew enough, didn't need school, and so just dropped out." Over the next 14 years, Jacob tried a variety of things. He worked for his mother's catering business as a helper. He was a clerk for the Guam Housing Corporation and then Guam Memorial Hospital. He moved to Saipan for a while where he volunteered for the Center for Independent Living. When he returned to Guam, he again worked as a clerk for the A.B. Won Pat International Airport. From 1999 to 2000, he worked at various non-profit organizations. As time passed, he became increasingly frustrated with his situation. He related that, "as I got older, I realized that I had to do something more with my life." So he decided to return to school and enrolled in the Adult High School program at Guam Community College in the Fall of 2004. With a lot of hard work, perseverance, and support from his family and friends, Jacob graduated in 2006. A big graduation party was held to celebrate this important milestone. Encouraged by his success in completing high school, Jacob decided to stay on the education track and explored the possibility of attending the University of Guam. As an individual with learning disabilities, Jacob qualified for support and receives financial assistance through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, a program under the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities. Jacob enrolled at UOG and is continuing on his journey in higher education. As a qualified individual with a disability, helping in this journey is the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Office at the University. This program assists Jacob by facilitating various accommodations. A two-year resident of the UOG dormitory, Jacob is happy with the total experience of being a university student. He does admit that it is a challenge to meet academic requirements, but he is committed to meeting his goal. "You have your ups and downs, but you must always keep in mind 'begin with the end in mind,' as stated by Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.'" To other individuals who quit school, he offers this advice: "Go back to school. Take it slow, one day at a time. Start with one class, then increase (your class load). Stick with it, move forward and don't look back!" Jacob offers this final thought: "the struggles will be painful, but you'll begin to see that many people are there to help you along the way." Page 2 Text in colored box: Words of advice from Jacob Cruz "The best definition of education is that if you earn it, it is something that nobody can take away from you. Banks can come and take away your car. Creditors can come and take away your house, but if you are educated you can go out and reconstruct your life, get a new car, and get a new house." "Yanggen para un desidi para un bira hao tatte para un kontinuha I eskuela-mu, pues un nesisita na SINSERO HAO PARA un KONTINUHA. Hagas ha yu sen malagu para u bira yu tatte lao pudi sigi yu "MINAGOF", kulan u tulaika I hinasso-ku. Lao putfin, u bira yu tatte, ya taya sina sumagan na tisina yu u cho'gue... hunggan makkat, Lao debi di una' mesngon hao, kontento hao, yan guaha konfiansa-giya hagu na maisa. Debi lokkue un na metgot sensia-mu, yan un na fitme I mas tadong' gi kurason-mu na sina un cho'gue." Text in colored box: SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADA Amendments of 2008 mandate that qualified individuals with disabilities must be given access to public services which includes academic programs at the post secondary level. Some examples of these supports may include: (bulleted items) - Extended time for test-taking and assignments - Relocation of classes if the facility is not accessible - Sign Language Interpreters - Note takers - Assistive Technology devices - Tutoring - Alternative formats for print materials (large print, MP3 audio, Braille, DAISY Talking Books, Plain text) - Early class registration - Advisement For more information on support services in higher education on Guam contact the: University of Guam, Elaine Faculo-Gogue, EEO & ADA Compliance Office, Dorm 2 Iya Hami Hall, Room 106 Telephone: 735-2422 Email: efgogue@uguam.uog.edu TDD: 735-2243 Guam Community College Michelle Santos, Ed.D, Dean, Technology & Student Services, Office of Accommodative Services Telephone: 735-5590 Room 2136, Student Services Building Email: michelle.santos@guamcc.edu Qualified individuals with disabilities may also be eligible for support from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID). For more information contact Albert San Agustin, VR Services supervisor at DISID, 8th Floor, DNA Building, Hagat–a or call at 475-4626 or 475-5735 Page 3 Campaign to End the "R" Word By Manuel Cruz In an attempt to gain respect and acceptance for individuals with disabilities worldwide, on March 3, 2010, Special Olympics marked the second annual day of awareness for its R-Word Campaign against the use of the "r-word", "retard". The goals of the campaign were to communicate the hurtful nature of the r-word and to remove it from daily use. The r-word, retard, is often used as slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today, the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, "That is so retarded" or "Don't be such a retard." When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. It is unfortunate that the word has evolved into everyday use far different than its definition and medical origin. It's time to erase the r-word from today's slang. The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) is planning to join to "R" Word Campaign and actively campaign in the community and with the policy makers to ban the r-word. Forty-eight States have already voted to remove the term "mental retardation" from government agencies and state codes, and legislation is pending in the U.S. Congress to strike it from any Federal statutes that still use it, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The largest advocacy group for the intellectually disabled, the Association for Retarded Citizens, is now simply called the Arc. Similarly, the American Association of Mental Retardation is now called the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now use "intellectual disability" in place of "mental retardation." By vigorously advocating to make the changes in our language to ban the r-word, the GDDC hopes to end the discrimination it represents. And, if successful , the island and the world will discover the joy, hope and individuality of millions of people. With that, real change will come. Advertisement: Make the Pledge! I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Get Informed!Log on to: www.r-word.org to find out more Spread the word header [Online Image] 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from http://www.r-word.org/ Page 4 GOAL-AT Loan Helps Family By Carla Torres "I no longer have the strength." This was the realization that caregiver Lilia Ballon had come to. It was very difficult to lift her niece, Catherine Pananganan, and her wheelchair in and out of their family car. This often meant that Catherine was not able to accompany her family on outings. You see, Catherine is an adult with muscular dystrophy. As a result of the illness, she has limited use of her hands and legs due to contractures and poor muscle function, and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. In March of 2009, Lilia Ballon, came to the Guam System for Assistive Technology's Annual AT Fair held at the Guam Premier Outlets. She was in search of a solution to their family's dilemma. There she saw Atkin Kroll's demonstration of the Bruno chair and wheelchair hoist. There she learned of the Guam Options for Alternative Loans - Assistive Technology Program (GOAL-AT). The Bruno provided a solution to vehicle accessibility for Catherine and GOAL-AT made it affordable to her family. The Bruno's revolutionary Turning Automatic Seating is a system that provides easy access to an automotive seat. For higher vehicles, this is accomplished by the seat rotating, coming out of the vehicle, and down toward the ground. For lower vehicles, the seat simply rotates out over the door sill. In either situation, the seat is easy to access. With this mechanism, Catherine did not have to be lifted in and out of the vehicle. The wheelchair hoist also made by Bruno makes lifting and transporting a wheelchair, scooter, or powerchair virtually effortless. They also don't require any structural modifications to your vehicle and can be easily removed for vehicle resale or installed into a next vehicle. The GOAL-AT Loan program is a federally funded island wide program. Its mission is to provide affordable financial loans to persons with disabilities for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services. The current interest rate on GOAL-AT Loans is 2.25%. For more information on this loan program, please contact Carla Torres, AT Specialist, University of Guam, Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) at 735-2490. Photos with captions: Lilia Ballon helps her niece, Catherine Pananganan, into the family car with the assistance of a Bruno chair and wheelchair hoist. These assistive technology devices were purchased through the assistance of a GOAL-AT loan. Lilia Ballon can now take her niece on family outings with the assistance of a wheelchair hoist. The hoist was purchased through the assistance of a GOAL-AT Loan. Page 5 Guam DD Council Report By Maria Libria Members of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council recently attended the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) Technical Assistance Institute in Washington D.C. where they learned more about The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, (DD ACT) requirements. These requirements focus on services, supports and other assistance available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and the extent of unmet needs for services, supports, and other assistance for those individuals and their families in the State/Territory. Photos with caption: Guam DD Council representatives participated in the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Event held on June 23 in Washington, D.C. The event theme "A Night of Champions of Equal Opportunity" commemorated the 40th Anniversary of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and their work to enhance independence, productivity and inclusion. Pictured (L-R) Michael Brogioli, CEO, NACDD, Evelyn Duenas, Chairperson, Guam DDC Council, Manuel Cruz, Executive Director, Guam DDC. Representatives from the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council attended the 2010 Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) Technical Assistance Institute, June 24-25 held in Arlington, Virginia. This year's Institute focused one State Plan Development. Pictured: (Seated) Evelyn Duenas (seated), Council Chairperson (Standing L-R): Manuel Cruz, Executive Director, Marie Tedtaotao-Libria, Program Coordinator IV, Ginger Porter, Chairperson's Personal Care Attendant , and Sharon Lewis, ADD Commissioner. Text in box: The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council plans its activities based on its State Plan. WHAT IS A STATE PLAN? The State Plan is the "big picture" of how services and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families should be five years from now. It includes long term goals to be accomplished within five years in the areas of emphasis in education, employment, health, housing, transportation, recreation, formal/informal community supports and quality assurance. The State Plan requirements require the Council to: 1. Be strategic, developed for 5 years and review annually and adapted as necessary. 2. Establish and maintain a Council meeting specific to membership requirements. 3. Designate a State Agency (DSA) to support the Council. Currently, our DSA is the Bureau of Statistics and Plans. The State Plan requirements must have a Comprehensive Review and Analysis and have the following: a. Extent of services, supports, and other assistance available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. b. Identify the extent of unmet needs for services, supports and other assistance. c. Develop and implement annual goals to address findings through the strategic planning process and develop goals for advocacy, capacity building and systemic change related to the areas of emphasis to be undertaken by the Council. d. Plan goals and activities should utilize not less than 70% of the annual federal allotment. e. Identifying barriers that may interfere with accomplishing targeted outcome and determining what type of strategy is best to remove it. The State Plan methods for change activities include outreach, training, technical assistance, supporting and educating communities, interagency collaboration and coordination, coordination with related Councils; committees, and programs, barriers elimination; system design and redesign, coalition development and citizen participation, informing policymakers, demonstrate new approaches to supports and services, and must adhere to specific granting procedures within the state/territory. Page 6 Assistive Technology Corner By Carla Torres Intel Reader "Convenient and flexible access, "portable and unobtrusive," "life-changing"- these are all phrases that have been used to describe the Intel¨ Reader, the latest addition to GSAT's Demonstration Center. The Guam System for Assistive Technology was one of 10 state AT programs selected to receive the Intel¨ Reader for free. This amazing device provides print access to individuals with vision or reading-related disabilities. With the Intel¨ Reader, people with blindness, low vision, dyslexia, or specific learning disabilities now have a tool that can unlock the world of print for them. Reading menus in a restaurant, the newspaper, or even mail is no longer a major challenge. To operate the device, simply hold the reader over the printed text and push the "Capture" button. A picture of the page is taken. The Reader then converts it to digital form and allows magnification and/or audio playback. It is as easy as point, shoot, listen. The reliable Intel¨ technology combines a high-resolution camera with an Intel¨ Atomª processor. This means conversion is fast, and the Intel Reader can hold large amounts of text. Earphones may be used to allow for more privacy. The device also comes equipped with the Intel¨ Portable Capture Station which makes it easier to shoot large amounts of text. (See in above right photo.) Additionally, content can be stored on the Intel¨ Reader, such as an article or a book, and listened to when most convenient. The Intel¨ Reader also plays most audio content including MP3, DAISY* digital talking books, and even text transferred from a computer. The Intel¨ Reader enables people to read printed materials independently, increasing their confidence, freedom, and pleasure. The level of accomplishment and independence they can achieve with this device is unparalleled. It helps one accomplish more in school, at work, or in their daily lives in general. For a free demonstration of this device, call GSAT at 735-2490. Page 7 DISID Computer Center Grand Opening By Carla Torres July 13 marked the grand opening of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Assistive Technology Computer Center. This was such a joyous day for the community as this center offers people with disabilities a service not available before its opening. Dr. Zeni Natividad, the Center's Director, credits the US Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, for funding which made the establishment of the center possible. The goal of the DISID AT Computer Center is to promote self-confidence and independence among individuals with disabilities and mental illness by: Providing an accessible computer workplace in a welcoming, supportive, and technologically accessible setting, and helping consumers to use appropriate multimedia assistive devices to create or produce written compositions and art work, or to learn lessons in activities of daily living, including appropriate-level reading, math, and language, etc. With the assistance of the Carla Torres, Guam System for Assistive Technology's AT Specialist, the AT Computer Center is outfitted with several assistive software programs like the Don Johnston Solo 6 and Kurzweil 3000 which offers reading and writing supports and Zoomtext which offers screen reading and magnification. The Center also offers numerous assistive devices such as noise-canceling headphones and large print keyboards. Eligible individuals who would like to use the AT Computer Center should visit DISID at Suite 702 DNA Building, AFC Flores Street in Agana or contact them at 475-4614 for more information. Photos with caption: Moses Puas (right) beams as he tries out a new computer station while Acting Governor Michael Cruz (left) and Senator Ray Tenorio (standing) look on. Acting Governor Michael Cruz, M.D., cuts the ribbon to open the new DISID AT Computer Center as consumers and staff members look on. Page 8 Advertisements: Ad#1: 2010 Tri-Agency Consumer Conference Saturday, August 28, 2010, 8:00am - 2:30pm at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. For more information contact Maria Libria at 735-9127, 130 University Drive, Suite 17, Castle Mall, Mangilao, Guam 96913, email: guamddc@teleguam.net Ad#2: Need To Purchase an Assistive Technology Device? Guam Options for Alternative Loans for Assistive Technology (GOAL-AT) Provides affordable loans to persons with disabilities for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services. For more information contact the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) office at 735-2490 or email at gsat@guamcedders.org. Ad#3: The Program for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness( PAIMI) and Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) with Guam Legal Services Corporation will be holding a Public Input Sessions on Saturday, September 18, 2010, PAIR & PADD Proposed Goals and Objectives for FY2011 9:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. and PAIMI Proposed Goals and Objectives for FY2011 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa The proposed Goals & Objectives are now available for public review. To request a copy, request reasonable accommodations, or for more information, please contact: GUAM LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION DISABILITY LAW CENTER Telephone: 477-9811 TDD/TTY: 477-3416 Written comments will be accepted until September 24, 2010 at Guam Legal Services Corporation 113 Bradley Place, Anigua or via email at information@guamlsc.org This ad was developed by the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) and the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) programs at Guam Legal Services Corporation, through funding from grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration. I Lina'la-ta is a quarterly newsletter published and funded through a Tri-agency collaborative partnership between the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (Guam DDC), Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center (GLS-DLC), and the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS). Comments may be sent to: Guam CEDDERS, Office of Academic & Student Affairs, University of Guam, UOG Station Mangilao, Guam 96923 Phone: 735-2480/1 Fax: 734-5709 TTY: 734-6531 Email: terrie.fejarang@guamcedders.org Guam DDC Executive Director: Manuel Cruz GLS-DLC Director: Harold Parker, Esquire Guam CEDDERS Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editor: Terrie Fejarang Layout & Design: Sean Lizama This issue of I Lina'la-ta was made possible by contributions from the following individuals: Carol Cabiles, Manuel Cruz, Terrie Fejarang, Marie Libria, Ginger Porter, Carla Torres. Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print, or audio tapes) of I Lina'la-ta will be made available upon request. Please contact Margaret Johnson at 735-2477 (v), 7 34-6531 (TTY), 734-5709 (fax) or email: margie.johnson@guamcedders.org for more information. The University of Guam is an equal opportunity employer and provider.