A DOZEN parents of children with disabilities completed training on the 13 disability categories identified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort’s Caladium Hall on Friday.
During the session, held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., participants learned to navigate the Public School System’s online module on the 13 IDEA disability categories: autism, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment.
PSS Director for Special Education Donna Flores said the training, funded through a competitive grant, is part of the school system’s effort to provide community members — especially parents of children with disabilities — with introductory-level activities and information to encourage greater involvement. Flores guided participants through the 13 IDEA online modules.
The Division of Youth Services, which serves as the parent training and information center, facilitated the session. DYS Administrator Vivian T. Sablan delivered introductory remarks, while SPED Project Higai Coordinator Jerry Diaz, Instructional Technology Coach Dr. Riya Nathrani, PSS Accountability, Research & Evaluation Data Specialist Louie Dean Bautista, and University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service Director June Deleon conducted lectures and hands-on training with the online module.
DYS Program Coordinator Jennifer Tanaka said the training is designed for both professionals and parents of children with special needs. In partnership with PSS, she added, the goal is to get as many parents as possible to go online and complete the module.
DYS Community Specialist II Maria Olopai said the session ran smoothly, with participants receiving both an introduction and hands-on training.
In an interview during a break, Flores said the training is vital for community members, particularly parents and families, as well as individuals with certain challenges. She noted that the online module promotes not only awareness but also acceptance.
“We talk about including everyone in conversations and activities, especially at the school level. It’s important to expose community members to IDEA and get them more involved, as they engage with peers and others in the community. When an individual feels a sense of belonging and welcome, progress and motivation follow,” Flores said.
She added that the training is an opportunity to involve parents, government agencies, and community members in understanding how to support and welcome individuals with varying abilities. “We all strive for acceptance, but we first need to understand others,” she said.
Flores noted that a lack of understanding often hinders people from accepting others because they may not know how to respond or connect.
Parents participate in an online module training at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort’s Caladium Hall on Friday.
Public School System Director for Special Education Donna Flores speaks during the training session.
SPED Project Higai Coordinator Jerry Diaz introduces Instructional Technology Coach Dr. Riya Nathrani.
