by Krystal Paco

Guam - With changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act, local employers are working to come into compliance. Although only 650 have applied for assistance from the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, agency director Ben Servino estimates thousands on Guam are actually affected.

He told KUAM News, "When we talk about numbers it's very difficult to give an accurate count because a lot of people with disabilities do not want to disclose their disability. Most states look at 10 percent of the population would have a disability. Nationally it would be like 54 million people with disabilities; here on Guam, if you look at percentage and total population is 160,000, and 10 percent of that is about 16,000."

And with changes to the ADA in 2008, employers at this week's ADA Conference are making self-evaluations as well as transition plans to come into compliance. "We've identified agency representatives from all the GovGuam agencies so they can serve as liaisons and help provide intervention strategies and technical assistance before it reaches to the point where people have to file with the EEOC or Department of Justice. We're trying to be proactive," Servino added.

Department of Public Health safety officer and ADA coordinator Jimmy Sian says it isn't easy with aged facilities and lack of funding, but all four Public Health locations are working towards 100 percent compliance in order to properly serve the thousands who use their services annually. He explained, "Public Health is a little bit difficult because of the age of the facility. Right now I would say we're 40 percent in compliance with the accessibility." That includes widening of facility doors, sliding doors, lowered counters for wheelchair accessibility, additional accessible parking, elevators, and accessible restrooms.

If you need special accommodations to access any GovGuam facility, call in advance to make arrangements.