Thank you to everyone who helped make our 2014 Conference a success!
2014 Elizabeth M. Dalton Assistive Technology Award
RI ATAP is honored to announce the 2014 Elizabeth M. Dalton Assistive Technology Award recipient: Ms. Cheryl Simmons, occupational therapist for the East Greenwich School District.
A few of the testimonials from colleagues who nominated Ms. Simmons:
“Over her years of service at East Greenwich, Cheryl has made it her goal to offer many opportunities and strategies for students to be more independent and successful with their education. Cheryl has made technology supports available to students that have CHANGED THEIR LIVES – imagine not being able to communicate your thoughts, emotions, ideas, etc. and someone gives you a tool that allows you to be able to do that. Cheryl Simmons has done that for numerous students. She possesses a quiet determination that drives her to continue to search for products, strategies and whatever it takes to help her students access the curriculum with success.”
“Cheryl works tirelessly to educate students, parents, and staff regarding tools and techniques that promote greater independence and academic functioning. Her ability to follow through and then follow up in a timely fashion is amazing.”
“Cheryl Simmons is and has been for years, the MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN MY TEACHING CAREER. She goes out of her way every day to provide the best technology for every student she services; technology that specifically matches that student’s needs.”
Congratulations, Cheryl! Thank you for your wonderful contributions in the field of assistive technology. RI ATAP, your colleagues, and your friends wish you the very best!
2014 Frances C. Dixon Advocacy Award
Presented to the RI Disability Law Center.
Fran was an employee of TechACCESS for 13 years, where she started out as a volunteer and ended up the Assistant Director. As an employee of TechACCESS, and, more importantly, as the parent of a daughter with a disability, Fran fought tirelessly for the rights of people with disabilities. She was an active member of many committees, organizations, and groups, and always looked to impact and inform policies and practices that could affect change in Rhode Island and beyond. With her gentle, but commanding presence, people were compelled to not only listen to what she had to say, but to actually hear what she had to say.
Fran was an inspiration to each and every person she met, and TechACCESS is pleased to honor her memory with the Frances C. Dixon Advocacy Award, presented to the RI Disability Law Center.
Thank you to our 2014 Sponsors
Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP)
HMEA
Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports
Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Special Needs
Hamilton Relay, Inc.
2014 Exhibitors
Rhode Island Disability Law Center
Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP)
Rhode Island Rehabilitation Association RIRA
Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CDHH)
East Bay Educational Collaborative
Rhode Island Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL)/RI RELAY
Cox Communications
Ocean State Center for Independent Living
Silver Lining
Highlander Institute
Rideaway
30 hands
Crick
CaptionCall
Lift and Care
Tobii ATI
Optelec
Love Letters from Emily
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities – Rhode Island College
Easter Seals MA
Providence Library
About Families Cedarr
Assumption College
NEAT at Oakhill
Capital Reg Education Council
Texthelp
Charm Medical Supply
Prentke
Captel
Cloud4Causes
HMEA
TechACCESS
RIMAC
ADA Center
Special Needs Ware
Microsoft
Apple
Enablemart
New England Low Vision and Blindness
REHAdapt North America
Dynamic Systems
Talking Books Plus
Mass Match
FormFormForm, Ltd.