DEALING WITH DISABLED WEBSITES FOR THE DISABLED

LINK to online version

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. There was the usual proclamation signing, a nice letter from the congressman, and a list of events sponsored by the Guam Legal Services Disability Center.

We have a plethora of agencies and services for the disabled, or should I say a “maze.” As the father of two disabled sons, both of whom are now adults, and one of whom lives with me, I have found it challenging to navigate these agencies and services for my sons.

Thanks to friends who have been down this road ahead of me, I am managing, but it would help if these agencies updated their websites, which is where most people, like me, searching for information, will initially land.

I was hesitant to use the names of the following agencies in this column, but decided it would be confusing if I didn’t.

Starting with the Guam Legal Services Disability Center under Outreach/Events, there is the current list of activities for March 2025. Following this list is an advertisement for a “Public Input Session.” I got interested, especially since it said “breakfast will be provided.” But then I saw the date: March 18, 2024. I guess I missed it. It would help if past events were deleted from websites, or at least labeled as “past events.”

Continuing my web search, I came to the page of Guma’ Mami, Inc. The headline read “March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!” - and there was a nice picture. I thought, great, I have found some real information, but then read “Date Posted: 03/03/2022.” Three year old information. Next!

I went to the website of Department of Integrated Services For Individuals With Disabilities (DISID). Under “Links” there is information about an Emergency Registry for disabled persons. I downloaded the application and then read the instructions to drop off the form at their office at the DNA building. DISID relocated away from the DNA building several months ago.

Another link on the DISID website is to the State Rehabilitation Council. At the bottom of this page are two links to a document titled “State Plan for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.” That looked interesting. However, both links lead to “No Results Found.”

In the footer of the same page, the “Contact Us” information shows Phyliss Leon Guerrero as the Director. However, “Contact Us” information on other pages of the same website lists Michelle Perez as the Director.

Under “Reports,” the latest financial report for DISID is for fiscal year 2021. Not helpful.

Guam CEDDARS is an organization I’m familiar with but haven’t visited in a while. They’re based at the University of Guam, have a very nice office, and always seemed to be pretty organized, so I headed to their website to see what’s new.

Well what’s new? The topmost post on CEDDARS’ website is titled “Guam CEDDERS Presents at 2023 MTEC.” So two years old is “what’s new,” although at the top of the page there was a link to the “latest” newsletter…dated March 2024. Because I used to know a few people on the CEDDERS Advisory Council, I decided to check out the Membership List. It was dated 2022-2023.

Before leaving CEDDERS, I thought I’d check out news and events, since I am looking for “news and events” to help my son. It seemed to be current with the top item referring to an event that happened in February. Scrolling further down, I saw that the February event was posted on September 1, 2023. Oh well. Missed that one too.

The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council appeared to be a bit more up to date. Its latest post announced a meeting on March 12, 2025. However, the next most “recent” post was dated April 2, 2022 announcing the “Autism Community Together Fair.” By the way, under the “Resources” tab…there is absolutely nothing.

I am sure there are good people at these agencies and departments who are doing good work, but you won’t find out about it by going to their websites.

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And today, whether you be a private company, a government agency, or whatever, your website is your first impression.

Figuring out life with a child with disabilities is challenging enough, we shouldn’t have to deal with “disabled” websites as well.

Tim Rohr has resided in Guam since 1987. He has raised a family of 11 children, owned several businesses, and is active in local issues via his blog, JungleWatch.info, letters to local publications, and occasional public appearances. He may be contacted at timrohr.guam@gmail.com