Andrea Del Rosario De Leon, CITTI Project Coordinator, has gone ahead of our team to work with our Ecuadorian contacts, smoothing the way for the rest of us!
Hi Everyone!
Greetings from FSD´s office in downtown Ambato. I just wanted to let
everyone know that I have arrived safely and things are well under way
to prepare for CITTI Project Ecuador 2007. I have already visited the
Special Education school and will be heading out to Huambalo tomorrow
with Gladys. Gladys, by the way, is amazing. I can´t wait for everyone
to see her again or meet her for the first time. I feel so lucky to
spend time with her and be able to be here getting things ready for
you all to head down! PS-the past few days have been pretty chilly,
but I will keep you posted on teh weather :) Safe travels to all who
travel soon! To those traveling to Peru, enjoy! Lima can be hectic and
chilly, but interesting. Hope you make it out to Cuzco and Macchu
Picchu. I did that last year before coming to Ecuador and it was
amazing. More updates to come!
Andrea Del Rosario De Leon
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
¡Viva la visión!
Bridgett Perry, Assistive Technology and Education Specialist & CITTI Project Director and Founder
Through our collaborations, we strive to expose communities to “technology” that is sustainable and replicable from materials found in the local markets. The simplicity of a hand splint made from leather and sticks enables someone to hold a spoon to eat more independently or to draw with a pencil more easily. A mouth stick or head wand allows someone with little hand movement to point to objects or type on a keyboard. Adapted learning materials and communication strategies increase classroom participation for children with disabilities.
Maggie and I will first be stopping in Lima, Peru to participate in the International Special Education Forum, July 8 – 12, 2007. This is the first of its kind to be held in South America. Proudly, we will represent the CITTI Project and present our Latin American successes!
From there we will join up with our team in Quito Ecuador! Please join us on our journey.
From vision to reality, volunteers of Community Inclusion Through Technology, International (The CITTI Project) have spent the past three years as students of another culture, learning and sharing with the people of Ecuador. Through our travels to the Tungurahua region, we have learned much about programs, services, schools, and work opportunities for people with disabilities in this part of the world. Here we go again!
Once more, the CITTI Project has pooled together another team of talented professionals to share ideas and strategies that enable people with disabilities to participate in their communities. This year, of the 13 volunteers, 9 of us are returnees! Among the team are professionals working in the field of assistive technology, professors, special educators, occupational therapists, a speech pathologist and our photojournalists.
Once more, the CITTI Project has pooled together another team of talented professionals to share ideas and strategies that enable people with disabilities to participate in their communities. This year, of the 13 volunteers, 9 of us are returnees! Among the team are professionals working in the field of assistive technology, professors, special educators, occupational therapists, a speech pathologist and our photojournalists.
Through our collaborations, we strive to expose communities to “technology” that is sustainable and replicable from materials found in the local markets. The simplicity of a hand splint made from leather and sticks enables someone to hold a spoon to eat more independently or to draw with a pencil more easily. A mouth stick or head wand allows someone with little hand movement to point to objects or type on a keyboard. Adapted learning materials and communication strategies increase classroom participation for children with disabilities.
What is truly wonderful is the commitment of everyone involved. The volunteers bring commitment of sharing new resources. Families and individuals with disabilities are committed to assessing their own needs and determining what is important to adopt for their own. Organizations are committed to building resources to share with community members through their existing programs and services. Together, we are our own revolution!
Maggie and I will first be stopping in Lima, Peru to participate in the International Special Education Forum, July 8 – 12, 2007. This is the first of its kind to be held in South America. Proudly, we will represent the CITTI Project and present our Latin American successes!
From there we will join up with our team in Quito Ecuador! Please join us on our journey.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
When I think of Huambalo
By Stacy Spring
I just wanted to write a little about the families that we met last year in Huambalo. I would love returners perspectives on this as well. When I think about Huambalo, the words that come to mind are: community, rich, family, strength, love....
From a typcial American perspective, they are poor and they have very little - very little resources, very little support, very little money, very little food....from an American perspective. However, in order to truly affect change, we have to do our best to not use our 'typical American perspective'. We must, through trying to be a student of another culture, immerse ourselves in the culture, and try to view life through their perspective. If we only look at what they don't have, we can't build on what they do have - community, family, richness, love, strength.
What I took away from Huambalo last year was how rich they are in their community and family. What comes to mind when others think about Huambalo?
I'm nearing the end of the school year and counting down the days to our project!
I just wanted to write a little about the families that we met last year in Huambalo. I would love returners perspectives on this as well. When I think about Huambalo, the words that come to mind are: community, rich, family, strength, love....
From a typcial American perspective, they are poor and they have very little - very little resources, very little support, very little money, very little food....from an American perspective. However, in order to truly affect change, we have to do our best to not use our 'typical American perspective'. We must, through trying to be a student of another culture, immerse ourselves in the culture, and try to view life through their perspective. If we only look at what they don't have, we can't build on what they do have - community, family, richness, love, strength.
What I took away from Huambalo last year was how rich they are in their community and family. What comes to mind when others think about Huambalo?
I'm nearing the end of the school year and counting down the days to our project!
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Highlights
CITTI Project Team 2007
- Bridgett Perry, CA
- Russ Holland, NY
- Maggie Morales, CA
- Stacy Springer, SC
- Andrea De Leon, VA
- Chaya Spector, CA
- Diane Dew, CA
- Mimi Deegan, CA
- Lynn Gitlow, ME
- Dennis Martin, ME
- Sonia Thacher, CA
- Elissa Poel, NM
- Susan Pompa, MD
A Visual Guide to Assistive Technology in the Developing World
The CITTI Project Story
Special Thanks...
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