Guam EHDI Advisory Committee Meeting Held

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

The Guam Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Project Advisory Committee held its quarterly meeting on August 22, 2018. Topics discussed included updates from birth sites and Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS) on the status of new born hearing screenings and intervention services for newborns that require hearing services. Committee Members also provided feedback related to the various Guam EHDI activities and goals, with particular emphasis on providing supports and information to families with children who are newly identified as having a significant hearing loss.

Automark Accessible Voting Machine Now Available at the Guam Election Commission

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
Guam Election Commision staff provided information to a participant during the 24th Annual GSAT Assistive Technology Conference on March 2, 2018 at the Westin Resort Guam. The Automark is a ballot marking device that provides autonomy to voters who are blind, visually impaired, or have a disability or condition that makes it difficult to traditionally mark a ballot. The voting machine was obtained by the Guam Election Commission in 2016 and has since made the device available for voters with disabilities to cast their votes independently. Voters who wish to use the AutoMark may do so during the In-Office Absentee voting period for the Primary Election from July 26, 2018 through August 24, 2018 from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For the General Election, the In-Office Absentee voting period runs from October 8, 2018 through November 5, 2018 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voters will need to bring their government-issued photo ID to vote. For more information, individuals can contact Guam Election Commission at 477-9791.

GSAT Participates in the Bae Day Fair

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology
On August 5, 2018, the Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT) participated in the Bae Day Island-wide Fair at the Agana Shopping Center. The community event, hosted by Spark, a program under the Westcare Pacific Islands, hopes to raise awareness of healthy relationships and provide opportunities for families to engage in conversations and activities that strengthen their relationships. Pictured here are two participants who visited the GSAT table to learn about the various devices used to keep the home monitored as well as adaptive grooming aids for individuals who have limited hand function.

EPICS Scholars Celebrate Completion of Two On-Site Classes

by Guam CEDDERS EPICS
After spending an intense 10 days taking two on-site classes, the scholars in the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Program had a small celebration on August 3 to commemorate the last day of class. Dr. Carol Zepecki, (front, center) San Jose State University faculty, who taught the on-site classes on Assessment and Research Methods, is shown here with a carved latte stone as small token of appreciation from students. EPICS scholars are graduate students in the Speech Pathology Program at San Jose State University.
(Front Row L-R) EPICS scholars pose with Keokia Mendiola, CCC-SLP, EPICS Clinical Practicum Supervisor, and Dr. Carol Zepecki, CCC-SLP, San Jose State University faculty, pose with the EPICS scholars during the end of the classes celebration on August 3.
(Second Row L-R) Camille Onglao, Bobbie Obillo, Dianne Sapida, Tricia Taitano, Liahlanni Cruz, Megan Merfalen, Lisa Eclavea, Jasmin Advani.
(Back Row L-R) Aileen Serrano, Catherine Ruszala, Lillian Reyes, Cassandra Dimla, Christina Cole, Gabriella Duenas, Ignacio Dela Cruz, Tatiana Perez, Meagan Terlaje, John Payne, JJ Mendiola.
On August 3, Lillian Reyes, EPICS Scholar, presented a wooden carving of a latte stone to Dr. Carol Zepecki, as a small token of appreciation from the EPICS scholars.
Dr. Carol Zepecki, expresses her thanks after receiving a carved wooden latte stone from students in the EPICS Project.

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.