I Lina’la-ta, OUR LIFE April 17, 2014 Vol. 8, Issue 2 Administration on Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Tri-Agency Page 1 Photo above article: A group shot of SiñA members and the Honorable Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor, Ray Tenorio standing under a pavilion. Caption: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio (center holding microphone), reads a Proclamation designating SiñA - Self Advocates in Action, as the Territorial Self Advocacy Organization. To the left of Lt. Governor, holding both hands up, is Lynn Tydingco, President of SiñA, expressing her excitement in receiving such an honor for the group. Members of SiñA and other self advocates applaud the announcement which took place during the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Family Fun Day event held on March 30 at the Governor’s Complex. Title & Article: Community of Self-Advocates, Family & Friends Celebrate DD Awareness Month by Estorian: Lynn Tydingco Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio proclaimed March 2014 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam CEDDERS, Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center, numerous agencies, and organizations in the disability realm collaborated to ensure the success of all the annual celebration and activities for the month. This year’s theme was “Ability at Work.” A mass celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Apuron at the Agana Cathedral Basilica was held on March 2nd. On March 7th, GDDC hosted an Open House at their University Castle office in Mangilao. The island community was invited to visit the office and the disability network partners’ display tables, which provided educational and awareness resources that are offered to persons with disabilities and their families. DD Awareness Family Fun Day at the Adelup Park topped off the activities with a bang! The picnic began with the Lt. Governor presenting an executive order declaring SiñA: Self-Advocates in Action as Guam’s State Self-Advocacy organization. SiñA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization consisting of persons with all types of disabilities and their families, who promote self-advocacy, self-determination, and independence. Entertainment was provided by: youth self-advocates Gian Magana (JFK), Megan Boswell (SSHS), Alyssa Alvarez (SSHS), Lixelle Alvarez (SSHS), Maria Bontogon (SSHS) and The Saturday Night Hobbyists, featuring youth members from various high schools. March is also recognized as Chamorro month, which brought performances by Chamorro artists, Rose Martiñez-Certeza, Galo Certeza, and Antonette Quitugua. Mario Borro of Next Stage Productions provided the sound production. Delicious food! Games! Great Entertainment! Networking! Unity! Page 2 Collage of photos with captions: Top photo: A group shot of various agency representatives (standing & sitting) with the Honorable Lt. Governor in a room. Caption: Representatives from various disability-related organizations, including the Guam Tri-Agency comprised of the University of Guam CEDDERS, the Developmental Disabilities Council, and Guam Legal Services-Disability Law Center, the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, the Division of Special Education, SiñA - Self-Advocates in Action, Autism Community Together (ACT) and Parents Empowering Parents (PEP), attended the Proclamation Signing Ceremony, facilitated by Acting Governor Ray Tenorio, designating March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Middle left photo: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio (standing) shaking a person’s, a wheelchair user with people in the background. Caption: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio (center, standing), greets Josie Cortez (seated) as Ginger Porter looks on during the ceremonies held as part of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Family Fun Day event held on March 30 at the Governor’s Complex. Standing in the background (L-R): are Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC); Lynn Tydingco, President of SiñA and Chairperson of both the GDDC and the Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council. At right is Lisa Ogo, SiñA member. Middle right photo: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio signing a document sitting at a table with people sitting next to him. Caption: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio, (second from right), signs the Proclamation designating March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Also in the photo are (L-R): Lisa Ogo, SiñA member; Lynn Tydingco, SiñA President and Chairperson of both the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) and Guam CEDDERS Advisory Council; Rosanne Ada, Executive Director, GDDC; and Lou Bascon Mendiola (partially hidden), GDDC member. Bottom left photo: One male and two women holding microphones talking. Caption: Andrew Tydingco (left), SiñA Vice President, along with Lynn Tydingco (right), honor, extend kudos and appreciation to Ginger Porter (center) during the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Family Fun Day ceremonies. Ms. Porter, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, has served as an advisor and mentor to SiñA since it was first conceptualized over four years ago. Bottom right photo: Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio standing with four individuals smiling for a group shot. Caption: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Family Fun Day participants pose with Lt. Governor Tenorio during the event held on March 30. (L-R): Ligaya Magana, and SiñA youth Gian Magana, Maria Bontogon, and Megan Boswell, are shown with Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio. Page 3 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Events Photo of male standing reading his speech. Caption: Gian Magana, a youth Siña member, delivers a heartfelt message during the DD Awareness Month Family Day Picnic on March 30. The following is a speech delivered by Gian Magana at the DD Awareness Month Family Day Picnic on March 30. Gian is a junior at JFK High School and a youth member of SiñA. GDDC Family Day I am so glad to see you all here It is a fun day. It is family day. Yes, we are all family. Family of supports We all need each other To spread awareness for people with disabilities Gone were the days when people with disabilities are stuck at homes, institutions ridiculed, mocked, belittled. Now, we are “ABLE” people. We can do things, we have abilities. And, we CAN advocate. It only takes ONE single step to advocate What should we do? SPEAK UP! That is the first step for our success Let us show everyone that we can! Si Yu’us Maåse! Collage of photos: Left photo: One male and three women sitting and eating at a table. Caption: Picnic participants enjoy good company and good food! (L-R): Josie Cortez, Gian Magana, Lisa Ogo, and unidentified guest. Middle photo: Giril wearing a cap, jeans, and T-shirt playing a keyboard. Caption: Maria Bontongon entertains the crowd with her musical hits. Right photo: Three women holding microphones. Caption: SiñA Youth add to the music entertainment with their spirited vocal numbers. Bottom photo: Four kids in sacks, laughing with an adult female moving with them. Parent in the background with a toddler in a sack. Caption: The sack races were a big hit during the picnic as shown here by the looks on participants’ faces. Leone Rohr, President of Parents Empowering Parents (foreground, far right) and young Vadin Guerrero (foreground, second from right), really get into it! Page 4 Top photo above the article of an audience looking forward in a mall. Caption: Parents, family and community members listen intently as Vicky Arriola (standing at right), mother of Felicity and President of the Down Syndrome Association, shares information about World Down Syndrome Day. The celebration took place at the Agana Shopping Center in the evening of March 21. 2014 World Down Syndrome Day Estorian: Lynn Tydingco World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated on March 21st at the Agana Shopping Center. It is no coincidence that this event was scheduled on this date. The twenty first chromosome contains three cells. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in one in every 691 births. Individuals with Down Syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder. Down Syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. Down Syndrome is usually identified at birth or shortly thereafter. Initially the diagnosis is based on physical characteristics that are commonly seen in babies with Down Syndrome. These include low muscle tone, a single crease across the palm of the hand, a slightly flattened facial profile and an upward slant to the eyes. The diagnosis must be confirmed by a chromosome study (karyotype). A karyotype provides a visual display of the chromosomes grouped by their size, number and shape. Chromosomes may be studied by examining blood or tissue cells. Down Syndrome Board Secretary, Josie Guerrero explained that this year’s theme was “All about me!” Individual life-size photo banners were on display, featuring each child’s talents and personality. For more information or support please contact Josie Guerrero at 888-5792 or josie_nrqz@yahoo.com. Two photos to the right of the article: Top right photo of three children standing in front of a banner smiling. Caption: Deborah Middlebrook (center) poses in front of her poster display with two friends. The posters were exhibited as part of World Down Syndrome Day. Bottom right photo of adult male talking to a girl while looking at a banner. Caption: Ben Servino, Director of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, engages in conversation with Felicity Arriola as he admires her poster. Page 5 Collage of photos during the Assistive Technology Conference: Top photo: A panoramic view of the conference participants. Caption: Approximately 200 participants from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands attended the 20th Annual Assistive Technology Conference held on March 28 at the Westin Resort & Spa. Left middle photo: Panoramic view of woman presenting with two projector screens and three participants in the foreground and background. Caption: Carla Torres, Assistive Technology Specialist (ATP), and Chairperson of the AT Conference, delivered her presentation which included information on bookshare.org, an online library for qualified individuals with visual and print disabilities. Right middle photo: Male standing with arms crossed looking at posters on easel stands. Caption: One participant carefully reflects on the Guam CEDDERS Gallery. The Gallery featured nine poster-sized portraits of people with different abilities and a quote describing their thoughts on the challenges they have conquered. Bottom left photo: Female holding a microphone standing and speaking to the audience with two projector screens in the background. Caption: Denise Mendiola Herslet, a well-known Guam businesswoman, shares tips and encourages people with all types of abilities, to consider opening up and running their own business ventures. Bottom right photo: Screen shot of text on Assistive Technology and two small screens to the right of the text; top small screen: people sitting at a table and bottom small screen of a woman’s picture. Caption: Lauren Cohen, Ph.D., the keynote speaker at the conference (bottom right) delivers her remarks via videoconferencing technology during the 20th Annual GSAT Assistive Technology Conference. Dr. Cohen’s talk was on Professionalizing the Field of AT. Page 6 GSAT AT Loan Recipient Expresses Appreciation Buenas yan Håfa Adai, My name is Rudy C. Ignacio and I’m a person with a disability. I was introduced by a good friend to the Guam System of Assistive Technology (GSAT) manager, Carla Torres, as well as to the wonderful workers there. After attending some events that were held at hotels and the malls, I got very interested in learning what GSAT was all about and what it has to offer. I did not know that GSAT caters to people with disabilities and that people with special needs can apply for a loan so that they can own their very own devices by going through the AT loan program. I myself am happy to say that I am one of their clients. In September of 2013, I got the good news and now I own my own iPad through the AT loan program. I highly recommend any person with a disability, also any parent with kids, who have special needs, to apply for a loan through the professional team at GSAT. I would love to thank the GSAT team of Carla, Leah and Dee for making it a reality. I would also like to thank my good friend for introducing me to them. Thank you all very much, God bless you all, Rudy C. Ignacio Top right photo of a male individual. Caption: Rudy C. Ignacio, above, is all smiles as he expresses his satisfaction and appreciation for the support he has received from the University of Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) Assistive Technology Loan Programs in purchasing an iPad, a device that he uses to access the internet and enlarge text. For more information on the GSAT AT Loan Programs, please contact Carla Torres, ATP, at 735-2490. Bottom photo of a group waving and all smiles. Caption: Simon Sanchez High School students and Self-Advocacy Facilitators started a pilot project for youth self-advocacy on March 6. (L-R): Andrew Tydingco, Lynn Tydingco, Maria Bontogon, Megan Boswell, Veronica Halili, Anthony Meno, Steph Madarang, and Ginger Porter, Guam CEDDERS. The next issue of I Linå’lå-ta will feature a story on this project. Page 7 Photos with captions Top photo: Five adults posing for a group shot (five men and one woman). Caption: These Guam Police Department Officers received their Certificate of Completion for training in Disability Sensitivity Awareness sponsored by the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council during the March Awareness Month. The Department of Administration provides this opportunity every quarter to educate Government of Guam employees in customer services for the general public. The training provides the employees a better understanding of individuals with disabilities; it enhances and promotes the full inclusion and integration of individuals with developmental disabilities in our community. Photo (L-R): Patrick Artero, DOA Training & Development Personnel Specialist; Roy N. Henricksen, Police Officer; Kevin R. Guerrero, Police Officer; Rosanne S. Ada, GDDC Executive Director; Joseph C. Borja, Police Officer, and Greg Calvo - Trainer. Middle photo: Group shot of people standing. Caption: Dept. of Administration, Training & Development Photo (L-R): Robert Cruz, UOG Professor & DISID Hearing Officer; Erin Williams, DPHSS/DSC Volunteer; Roberta Mendiola, Customer Service Rep.- AG’s Office; Rosanne Ada, Executive Director - GDDC; Lorna Morales, Customer Service Rep.-AG’s Office; Maria Williams, Acctg. Tech. -AG’s Office; Maeles Sampson, Administrative Assistant-GBHWC; Perry Tayama, Volunteer- GBHWC; Greg Calvo, Trainer-GDDC, and Robert Taitano, DOA Training & Development. Bottom photo: A photo shot taken behind the audience while male individual standing is speaking. Caption: Disability Awareness Training was conducted for the Department of Public Health & Social Services, Division of Senior Citizen “Senior Volunteer Program Training” on March 14, at the Marriott Hotel. Over 25 individuals participated. Acknowledgements: I Linå'lå-ta is a newsletter published and funded through an Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) Tri- Agency partnership comprised of the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (Guam DDC), Guam Legal Services Corporation - Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC), and the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (UOG 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: Rosanne Ada GLSC-DLC Director: Harold Parker, Esq. UOG CEDDERS Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editors: Ginger Porter, Terrie Fejarang Layout & Design: Sean Lizama This issue of I Linå'lå-ta was made possible by contributions from the following individuals: Rosanne Ada, Rudy Ignacio, Terrie Fejarang, Marie Libria, Gian Magana, Leone Rohr, Carla Torres, and Erlinda Tydingco. Alternative formats (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tapes, or electronic file) of I Linå'lå-ta will be made available upon request. Please contact Margaret Johnson at 735-2477 (v) or 734-6531 (TTY), or email: margie.johnson@guamcedders.org for more information. Page 8 Full page ad. PEP with logo of a hand silhouette holding three symbols of people holding their arms up. Parents Empowering Parents 1st Annual Sunset 5K Family Run/Walk “Light the Way for Individuals with Disabilities” 5K RUN Sunday, April 27, 2014 Chamorro Village, Front Parking Lot Showtime: 4:15pm / Go Time: 5:00pm $10 per person / $30 Family of 4 $15 per person on race day PEP “Special Needs” Race Course for Individuals with Disabilities Register at Hornet Sporting Goods Prizes, T-Shirts, & Raffle!!!