I Linå'lå-ta (Our Life) Volume 1, No. 3 June 1, 2007 A Newsletter For Individuals With Disabilities Page 1: Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center Bids Farewell to Director Attorney Daniel S. Somerfleck, long standing head of the Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center (GLSC-DLC) has decided to focus his primary energies on family after 11 years of leadership at the GLSC-DLC. From May 1996 until May 2007, Dan provided insightful leadership, focused vision, and an unrelenting commit-ment to serving those in most need of legal services and advo-cacy. In a ceremony highlighting his contri-butions to the community, Somer-fleck was presented a Legislative Resolution on May 30th, co-sponsored by all 15 Guam senators. He was highly commended for having an open door policy and for maintaining excellent rapport with all those upon whose behalf he passionately advocated. Under Somerfleck’s leadership, the Guam Legislature cited that GLSC-DLC became synonymous with excellence. Somerfleck was also awarded the “I Made A Difference” award from his colleagues at GLSC-DLC commemorating his tenure of service as Director and staff attorney. In addition to his 11 years of leadership and his two years as a staff attorney for GLSC-DLC, Somerfleck also maintained a private practice for four years, and worked for the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) for two years. This 19-year Guam resident first came to the island to work for GLSC-DLC. He hopes to return to the AGO, Family Division, as he continues his career in law. At the award ceremony, Somerfleck assured the community that the work will continue. He shares credit for the award-winning accomplishments with others who helped in keeping focused on the vision and mission of serving. During his tenure at GLSC-DLC, Somerfleck was actively involved in a host of community and government organizations. He helped to bring the Protection and Advocacy programs to GLSC-DLC including specialized Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disability (PADD); Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAMI); Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT); and Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR). Since 1999, Somerfleck has been part of the Tri-Agency of Administration on Developmental Disabilities funded programs on Guam which include Guam CEDDERS and the Guam Developmental Disability Council (GDDC). He has worked with Guam CEDDERS programs and projects with a particular focus on Assistive Technology, Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility, Voter Accessibility, and Systems of Care for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance. In recent years, Somerfleck and his team at GLSC-DLC have litigated in the area of community integration, addressing fundamental principles outlined in the U.S. Supreme Court Case’s Olmstead decision. Somerfleck and the GLSC-DLC under his leadership have collaborated with Guam CEDDERS and the GDDC to sponsor a major disability summit, needs assessment forums, family support studies and many other targeted projects including a Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review System (MTARS) federal program audit of the DD programs on Guam. His ultimate commitment to individuals with disabilities as a driving principal has been cherished by all those for whom he has advocated and litigated. Attorney Somerfleck’s wife, Carol, and his sons, Eli and Ezra look forward to spending more time together as Somerfleck’s organizational leadership responsibilities are lessened. We wish Attorney Somerfleck all the best and thank him for his many years of service to individuals with disabilities and their families. Photo with caption: Attorney Somerfleck (left) shares some of his reflections after being presented a Legislative Resolution by Senators Tina Muna Barnes (middle) and Jim Espaldon (far right) during a ceremony to commemorate his many accomplishments during his tenure as Director of GLSC-DLC. Page 2 photo with caption: (Left to right) Ezra and Dan Somerfleck participate in GSAT’s Walk, Wheel, Run Event in support of Disability Awareness Month. Guam Resident Launches Private AccessibleTransportation Service Guam reached another much-welcomed milestone in the transportation arena with the launching of a new door-to-door shuttle service. Barrier Free, a private, for profit venture owned by Jay Fenwick, opened for business on May 1. As a wheelchair user himself, Fenwick knows first hand about the frustration of getting from one place to another. He has been fortunate to own an accessible self-driven van over the last 10 years. After acquiring a factory customized 2006 Chrysler Town & Country van last year, numerous individuals with disabilities and their families approached him about his high tech wheels, information he gladly shared. Then, in March of this year, knowing the Transportation needs of the community, he started the process of exploring the possibility of opening up his own company. Drawing from research collected by the Guam Transportation Commission, support and encouragement by the University of Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Ginger Porter, and the Small Business Development Center, Fenwick developed his business plan and opened for business last month. The van he currently operates has a fully automated computer controlled ramp, plus remote controlled sliding doors. The van is equipped to carry up to four riders in wheelchairs plus two regular passengers. “In addition to providing this accessible service to meet a need, Barrier Free allows me to contribute back to our island community,” Fenwick said. To access this service, you may call Fenwick at 632-9473 or 788-6342. Photo with caption: Barrier Free owner, Jay Fenwick, demonstrates one feature of his accessible vehicle. The van can accommodate up to four riders who use wheelchairs. Page 2: Advertisement: Barrier Free Accessible Door-to-Door Transportation Service Jay Fenwick, Owner Ph: 632-9473 Cell: 788-6342 (MEGA) fenwickjay@hotmail.com Advertisment: Got “Old or Used” Assistive Technology Devices??? If You Do, Please Donate Them To GSAT’s RE-USE Program! For more information call GSAT at 735-2490-1 Or email Mike Terlaje at mterlaje@ite.net For more information call GSAT at 735-2490-1 or email Mike Terlaje at mterlaje@ite.net Page 3: Opening Doors: “It’s A PAY-LESS Thing!” By Cecilia “Lee” Perez Picture, if you will, two women chatting up a storm as they cruise down Route 10 in Mangilao on a sunny Tuesday heading for an afternoon of grocery shopping at the Agana Pay-Less Supermarket. There is nothing unusual about this scene, or is there? Take a second look. Neither woman has her eyes on the road! In fact, both women are legally blind and being driven in luxury in Jay Fenwick’s Barrier Free accessible shuttle service. Fenwick is driving passenger Lisa Ehlers to the Agana Pay-Less as just one of the many types of services his shuttle business provides. Ehlers has been a frequent shopper at Pay-Less Supermarkets since she first arrived on Guam in 2003. What is amazing about Ehlers is that she travels independently though she has no functional vision. She relies on her other senses and skills in mobility along with the use of a white cane. This energetic 28-year-old moves with poise, ease, and confidence. Ehlers was born three months early and her eye condition is call retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). She was raised and was educated in Iowa and has lived independently since she entered college. One of the welcomed differences Ehlers describes between Guam and Iowa is that people here are more accommodating and easily go out of their way to help her. Ehlers is in the process of starting her own business called “20/200” (the legal definition of being blind). She will provide consulting and training services for persons with visual impairments and to businesses to better serve customers who are visually impaired. How does a blind shopper find what she needs? The answer for those who need assistance shopping is to locate the customer service counter at any of the Pay-Less Supermarkets and simply ask for help. It is useful, but not necessary, to schedule visits in advance and arrive with a prepared list with as much specific product information as possible. Ehlers says that if you frequent the same shop at about the same time the employees begin to recognize you and become more aware and sensitive to your specific needs and shopping preferences. Yes, I did say there were two women in the shuttle van and that both women were blind. I’m the other woman and I’m telling the story. What is amazing about me is that I have almost no functional vision but maybe a little more than Ehlers. Though I have shopped indepen-dently in other places in other cities I have not once in my 15 years of being a person with a disability ever once walked into a Pay-Less without a friend or relative to help me. I’ve dreamt of it, wished I had the courage to do it, envisioned it, but not once tried. That’s amazing. This series is about OPENING DOORS and it has opened a door for me. With the courage and encouragement of people like Lisa Ehlers and Jay Fenwick I begin to see that barriers are put up on both sides, just as doors are opened from both sides. This is one door I need to open from my side. If you are a person with a disability who has wondered about shopping more independently, give it a try. I will! Photo with caption: Neomi helps Lisa navigate through the aisles of the store. Neomi San Nicolas (left), Customer Service Representative, helps Lisa choose strawberries in the produce section at Agana Payless Supermarket. PAGE 4: Transit Talk: New Transit ID Cards COMING SOON! This month, we are giving you a preview of the NEW Paratransit ID card, which will be out soon. This card not only has a new look, it has new information about your eligibility. Notice that your expiration date is clearly displayed on the front, an easy check of your card’s validity by both you and the driver. As some of you have recently experienced, an outdated ID meant that you paid more for your ride. In this instance, it really does pay to be up to date. Your Eligibility Category, shown in letter symbols, is also displayed on the front. These letters certify the conditions under which you are eligible for a paratransit ride or for a discounted fare on the other services. Eligibility is based on your inability to use the fixed route system. What do these new letter symbols mean? Persons may also be determined eligible for temporary unconditional or temporary conditional status. If you have questions about the new cards and the new eligibility process, contact the Division of Public Transportation Services: 475-4686 or 4616. U - Unconditional. You are eligible to ride paratransit for all of your trips. If you can NEVER use the fixed route service, you will always have the right to a paratransit ride. C - Conditional. You are eligible for some trips on paratransit, those where you are unable to use the fixed route for your particular trip needs. You will be expected to ride the others systems whenever you can. D - Diabetic Food. You are eligible to consume food on the bus, but ONLY for medical purposes. (Remember to leave the bus free of refuse!) PCA - Personal Care Attendant. You are eligible to travel with a Personal Care Attendant if you require a helper to meet your trip needs. This person travels with you at no cost, but must follow the same trip schedule. Only persons with this eligibility designation may use this service. I Linå'lå-ta is a quarterly publication published and funded through a Tri-agency collaborative partnership between the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, Guam Legal Services Disability Law Center, 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: fejarang@ite.netGuam DDC Executive Director: Manuel Cruz GLS-DLC Acting Director: Carol Hinkle-Sanchez, Esq. Guam CEDDERS Director: Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D. Editor: Cecilia “Lee” Perez Assistant Editor: Terrie Fejarang Layout & Design: Margaret JohnsonThis issue of I Linå'lå-ta was made possible by contributions from the following individuals: Lee Perez, Terrie Fejarang, Ginger Porter, & Heidi San Nicolas . Alternative formats (e.g. Braille, large print, or audio tapes) of I Linå'lå-ta will be made available upon request. Please contact Margaret Johnson at 735-2477 (v), 735-6531 (TTY), or 734-5709 (fax) for more information.The University of Guam is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.