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Guam CEDDERS Participates in Social Work Practicum Fair

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On April 20, 2018, Guam CEDDERS participated in the ​University of Guam, ​Social Work Practicum Fair held at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration Building. The fair provided an opportunity to help inform Social Work ​​students choose a field placement​ during their senior year​. ​Vera Blaz (left) Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, looks on as Tanya Simer (middle), current GSAT ​Social Work ​student intern​​, shares information​ about her experiences​ ​with​ Tiffany DeMesa (right), ​student, ​during the Practicum Fair.

24th Annual GSAT Conference Assistive Technology; Breaking Barriers to Accessibility and Independence

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On 2 March 2018 Maria Bontogon, a student at the University of Guam, conducted a presentation on her assistive technology device called the Orcam for participants atending the 24th Annual Assistive Technology Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam. The Orcam is capable of reading printed text from any surface or material such as books, banknotes, barcodes, and can distinguish between faces/colors. The Orcam supports accessibility for Self-advocates with vision and print impairments.
Jeff Warfield, a Social Worker with the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), presented on Accessible Parking requirements during the GSAT Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam on March 2. The presentation focused on the requirements for providing “Accessible Parking” at all Government and Business facilities, including the “Path of Travel” requirements under the American with Disabilities Act, and how to apply for an “Accessible Parking Placard” or License Plate”.
Evelyn Duenas, Self-Advocate, is shown having a discussion with Elaine Eclavea at the Learn to Sign Act Early Display Table during the Annual Assistive Technology Conference on March 2. Featured at the table was the: CDC Milestone Developmental Tracker App which explains the importance of knowing how children grow, learn and develop properly from two months to five years. Paying close attention to how they play, learn, speak, act and move provide cues to the development of young children. The Developmental Tracker App makes tracking developmental milestones much easier and fun.
On 2 March 2018 , Tia Ivanko, Technical Assistance Coordinator, and Stephanie Zito, Technical Assistance Specialist from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes, conducted one of the keynote presentations on how technology is an important tool to reduce barriers and increase communication access for deaf individuals in both education and employment environments during the Annual GSAT Conference held at the Westin Resort Guam. Their session included a myriad of options available for assistive and communication technology for education and training settings. Participants were given guidance, tools, and resources essential to employing effective services for deaf Self-advocates.
Finia Kachita, a student at Guam Community College, demonstrated how she uses her AT device called the KNFB Reader. This AT device converts printed text to speech or Braille instantly and accurately. It features the best optical character recognition (OCR) technology available and uses patented image detection technology to quickly and easily detect and decipher printed text anywhere and at any time. It helps blind, low-vision, dyslexic, and other print-disabled users live the lives they want, independently.
Shawni Acfalle, GSAT Center Assistant, provides a brief explanation of points shared on the State Rehabilitation Council Information Board to one of the conference attendees. The Information Board lists a variety of improvements that need to be addressed by Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide better services for people with disabilities on Guam. Shawni also discussed how the information may affect his personal, academic and employment endeavors in the future. Having technology, innovation and awareness are important tools to reduce barriers and increase communication access for individuals with disabilities as they pursue educational and employment goals.

State Rehabilitation Council Outreach Committee Training and Work Session

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The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) Outreach Committee held their Training and Work Session Meeting on February 5 at GSAT House 19 Dean Circle. Attendees included, (Sitting, L-R) Lou Mesa, SRC Chairperson; Jeanette Yamashita, Member; (Standing, L-R) Leah Abelon, Outreach Chairperson; Erlinda Tydingco, SRC Vice Chairperson and Outreach Committee Member; and Laura Taisipic. The SRC Outreach Committee oversees all program planning and program review related to providing outreach to the disability community and state and federal collaborators.

GSAT Advisory Council Executive Meeting

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The GSAT Advisory Council Executive members held their quarterly meeting on January 9 at GSAT, House 19. (Pictured L-R, clockwise) Barbara Johnson, Secretary; Ben Servino, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Director; Lou Mesa, Chairperson; Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator; Evangelis Babauta (standing), ASL Interpreter; Evelyn Duenas, Vice Chairperson; and Josephine Cortez, Member at Large. (Not shown) Dawn Maka, Member at Large. The executive members meets to developand approve the agenda for the upcoming GSAT Advisory Council General Membership Meeting on January 23, 2018.

Guam State Rehabilitation Council Executive Meeting

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On January 11, the State Rehabilitation Council, held its first Executive Meeting at the DVR Conference Room. (Front row, L-R) Jeanette Yamashita, Planning and Resource Committee Chairperson; Laura Taisipic, Planning and Resources Committee Vice Chairperson; and Barbara Johnson, Services Committee member. (Second row, L-R) Ben Servino, Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) Director; Erlinda Tydingco, SRC Vice Chairperson; Lou Mesa, SRC Chairperson; Pete Barcinas, SRC Secretary; Leah Abelon, Outreach Committee Chairperson; and Edmund Cruz, Services Committee Chairperson. The State Rehabilitation Council provides clients of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with a mechanism to influence the direction of the rehabilitation programs in Guam at the System Policy Level.

Guam CEDDERS Participates in the Head Start Parent Engagement Conference

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Renee Koffend, AuD, Audiologist and Guam EHDI Consultant, presents information on “Hearing Loss Identification and Rehabilitation” to interested parents during a session at the Head Start Parent Engagement Conference on October 21 at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa.
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Leah Abelon (left), GSAT Center Coordinator, and Christina Jung (right), CEDDERS Research Associate, help secure Praiselyn Mario to her mother, Mimy Mario, while using the FireFly Upsee Mobility Harness. This assistive technology device allows parents to assist their child to stand and walk.
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Leah Abelon (right), GSAT Center Coordinator, shares information with an interested parent on the Logan ProxTalker, an assistive technology device known for its advanced and adaptable recorded speech communication options during the 2017 Head Start Parent Engagement Conference on October 21 at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa.