Creating Accessible Documents Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training
Group of people participating in a training.
Carla Torres, Assistive Technology and Special Projects Program Coordinator, provided training to staff of the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on November 20, 2015. The training demonstrated how to create accessible text documents using Microsoft Word and how to create accessible and tagged PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Pro. This training was at the request of the SBDC’s Director Casey Jeszenka in an effort to ensure accessible documents are available to individuals with disabilities.

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.

Webinar Held with GDOE VI Staff

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance Community Services: Training Vision Impairment
Group seated at conference table.
Guam CEDDERS facilitated a webinar presented by Donna McNear, Vision Instruction Consultant (shown on screen) for the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education’s Vision Instruction (VI) Program. Topics discussed included the implementation of Unified English Braille (UEB) and assistive technology for students who are blind. Also discussed was Donna’s upcoming on-site visit in January 2016. Attending the webinar were (starting left, clockwise) Paula Ulloa, VI School Program Consultant; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS; Darlene Taimanglo, VI teacher; Diane Artero, VI Teacher; and Judy Quinata, Braille transcriber. This activity was supported through a contract between Guam CEDDERS and the Guam DOE, Division of Special Education.

JFK Teacher Receives Early Childhood Resources

by Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Information Dissemination
Two individuals seated at conference table.
John Hernandez, a teacher in the Health Department at John F. Kennedy High School, visited Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director, on November 5 to discuss early childhood services and supports and receive resources. After conducting a pilot class, Mr. Hernandez recently spearheaded the approval process to teach a health course titled, “Prenatal to Infancy Wellness: Nutrition and Healthcare.” Students in the class include pregnant teens and new mothers. Resources shared included the “Guam Early Learning Guidelines,” “Neni Directory,” “Building Young Brains,” and various posters and early childhood videos produced by Guam CEDDERS.

NDEAM Conference: Introduction to Customized Self Employment Training

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Training Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

Janet Stevely speaking to a crowd.
On October 29-30, 2015, Janet Stevely, Senior Consultant at Griffin-Hammis Associates provides training at the Westin Resort Guam, on “Introduction to Customized Self Employment.” The training was aimed at providing self-employment information to individuals with disabilities looking to be entrepreneurs and service providers who work with individuals with disabilities.
Panel of individuals leading a discussion.
A resource panel consisting of agency representatives provided information on services that they offer to entrepreneurs. Panelists included: (L-R) Denise Mendiola Hertslet, Executive Director, Pacific Island Microcredit Institute; Fred Granillo, Traning Program Coordinator, Small Business Development Center; Carla Torres, MEd, ATP Assistive Technology & Special Projects Program Coordinator, Guam System for Assistive Technology; and Lydia Calvo, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID).
Group posing for a photo.
Training participants posed with guest speaker, Janet Stevely: (L-R) Janet Stevely, Senior Consultant, Griffin-Hammis Associates; Lou Mesa; Jeng Magana; Gian Magana; and Leone Rohr, Executive Director of Parents Empowering Parents Disability Organization.

GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology Self-Advocacy
Group poses for photo outside GSAT.
The GSAT Advisory Council held its general membership meeting on October 27, 2015. During this meeting, new officers were elected. The new officers and members of the council can be seen in the photo above. They are (Left to Right): Lou Mesa, Member at Large; Lee Perez, community member; Raymond Sayas, Guam Development Disabilities Council representative; Dawn Maka, Secretary; Roy Rosario, Member at Large; Lisa Ogo, Member at Large; Jennifer Vicente, Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center representative; (seated) Josephine Cortez, community member; Carla Torres, Guam System for Assistive Technology program coordinator, Barbara Johnson, Chairperson; Rudy Ignacio, Vice Chairperson.

Project Tinituhon & Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (Guam EHDI) Participate in Saturday Outreach Event at ​the Micronesia ​Mall

by Guam CEDDERS Tinituhon

Photo of Terry Naputi, Guam CEDDERS Research Associate, sharing resources at an outreach event.
Terry Naptui, ​Guam CEDDERS Research Associate, shares parent resources on child development​ during the outreach event​. ​One of the activities of ​Project Tinituhon (Guam’s Early Childhood Comprehensive System Grant) ​is the production of resources on child development. For more information or resources on child development, contact Guam CEDDERS at 735-2466.
Photo of students getting information at Guam CEDDERS display table.
Jeffrey Pinaula, ​Guam CEDDERS Research Associate, talk​s​ to UOG students about the importance of early hearing screening and hearing development ​during the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Fair ​held on October 17 at Micronesia Mall​. For more information about early hearing screening or early hearing development please contact Guam EHDI at 735-2433.
Photo of Terry Naputi, ​Guam CEDDERS Reseach Associate,​ assisting​ a parent complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire​ (ASQ).
Terry Naputi, ​Guam CEDDERS Reseach Associate,​ assists​ a parent complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire​ (ASQ) during the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Fair ​held on October 17​​. ​The ASQ is a developmental screening tool that parents can complete to learn more about their child’s development.

GSAT Advisory Council Executive Meeting

by Guam CEDDERS Guam Systems for Assistive Technology

Group posing for photo.
The GSAT Advisory Council Executive Committee held its meeting on October 15, 2015. Attending the meeting were (left to right) Kirsten Bamba, ASL Interpreter; Barbara Johnson, Member at Large; Carla Torres, AT & Special Project Coordinator; Dawn Maka, Vice Chairperson; Josephine Cortez, Secretary​; and Jessica Crisostomo.
Members of the GSAT Executive Committee check out the new Demo Center.​
Members of the GSAT Executive Committee check out the new Demo Center on October 15, 2015.​

GSAT Holds Training on using AT in the Workplace

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

As part of the activities to commemorate “National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” Carla Torres, Guam CEDDERS Assistive Technology and Special Projects Coordinator, conducted a presentation on “Assistive Technology Utilization in the Workplace” on October 8. Attendees included individuals with disabilities, family members, and personnel from the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID). 

Speaker presenting to a large group around a conference table.
Various community members, including service providers, employers, and individuals with disabilities, listen to Carla Torres (standing), GSAT program coordinator talk about “Utilizing Assistive Technology in the Workplace.”
Three workshop participants trying out assistive technology devices.
Community members try the various communication devices on display at GSAT’s new AT Center.