Karen Ballou has been an early childhood educator for twenty-nine years. Karen is currently working as a full-time teacher in an inclusive pre-k program with children of various developmental and communication abilities.
Meghan Broz, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP is the program director of the Master in Speech Language Pathology Program being developed at the New England Institute of Technology. Previously she has worked as a speech language pathologist and augmentative alternative communication/assistive technology specialist at Pathways Strategic Teaching Center and other programs in RI, CT, MA, and VA.
Heather Cianciolo OTR/L, ATP/SMS is an occupational therapist and the Clinical Education Manager for Permobil covering New England and Upstate NY. Heather joined Permobil in the winter of 2020. She started her career at Kessler Institute in NJ specializing in SCI and seating and mobility before moving to RI where she established an outpatient WC Clinic at Southern New England Rehab Center serving an adult population for more than 25 years. Heather has served as an adjunct professor at the New England Institute of Technology in RI and continues to participate as a guest lecturer at Universities throughout New England. Heather is a member of AOTA and RESNA.
Wayne Crolley is the founder and managing member of Novare Products LLC. During his 35 year career in technology, Wayne was awarded 22 patents for highly complex technology solutions. But in 2019, Wayne founded Novare to develop products that “will make a difference” and have the potential for societal impact. Currently he and his consortium are developing an accessible wall cabinet and an efficacious and affordable robotic technology to make access to cabinets and shelves above 48 inches possible for people with certain types of physical disabilities.
Linda K Cullen MEd MS CCC-SLP is a Speech Language Pathologist at South Coast Educational Collaborative. Her special interests include Augmentative Communication, Assistive Technology, and Professional Development. She especially enjoys the challenges and rewards of working with students who are non-speaking, medically fragile, and those who require alternative access strategies. Linda has presented in many school districts, at ATCNE, Closing the Gap and ATIA.
Andrea D. Fairman, Ph.D., OTR/L, CPRP, ATP, is an associate professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at Johnson & Wales University and an affiliate faculty member at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, School of Health and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Pittsburgh, USAA. She also holds an adjunct faculty position at the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST) at the University of Pittsburgh. For over 20 years, Dr. Fairman has practiced occupational therapy in various treatment settings, including home health, school-based services, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, academic and research environments. She has also served in several administrative and leadership capacities.
Cheryl Farley, M.S. Ed., O.D. is an Assistive Technology Consultant and owner of Adaptech Consulting, LLC. She received her B.S. from Stonehill College and Doctor of Optometry degree from The New England College of Optometry. She later obtained her M.S. Ed. from Simmons College in the area of Special Education: Assistive Technology. She has been the owner of Adaptech Consulting, LLC for the past 13 years, and provides assistive technology consultations and evaluations to public K-12 school districts. For this presentation, she is also wearing her “mom hat”, providing a glimpse into her family’s journey as she prepares her son to leave the public school system and into DDS adult services programming.
Jack Fidler PT, DPT, ATP is a physical therapist and the Territory Sales Manager for Permobil covering Connecticut and Rhode Island. Jack Joined Permobil in Spring 2021. Prior to Permobil, Jack was a physical therapist at Yale-New Haven Hospital, mainly focused on pediatrics but providing life-span care. He was a treating clinician in the Wheelchair and Muscular Dystrophy Association Specialty Clinics. Jack is an adjunct professor for the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Connecticut.
Pamela Fields Founder/CEO, The Assistive Technology Training Center (ATECH) & CEO, MidState Arc Pamela Fields is a leader in the field of assistive technology for independence, especially in devising new approaches to independence as it relates to people with intellectual disabilities (I/DD). Her pioneering efforts are grounded in a 40-year career in leading agencies that provide services for people with I/DD and other complex disabilities and medical needs. With an undergraduate degree in human services and an MBA with a concentration in non-profits, Pam has the foundation and the vision needed to move the field of assistive technology forward in new and exciting ways. Pam also holds Enabling Technology Leadership Certification from Tech First SHIFT. As a passionate advocate for the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their services, Pam founded the Assistive Technology Training Center to assure service providers have a place to gain knowledge and build capacity in cutting edge assistive technologies and families can benefit from best practices in how to support their loved ones with disabilities. Pam envisions a world where each person can be as independent as possible, fully connected to and autonomous in their communities, regardless of their barrier issues.
Cassie Frost, M.S.Ed, ATP has been in the special education field for eighteen years as a special education teacher, Assistive Technology Professional, and consultant. She has specialized in utilizing technology with students who struggle with emotional and behavioral disabilities, autism, and behaviors resulting from intellectual or learning disabilities. Cassie serves on the WI Assistive Technology Advisory Council, is the President of the Wisconsin Council for Exceptional Children, is a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional, and is an ISTE-certified educator. She enjoys working with others to find creative solutions and ways for all students to succeed. She presents at the regional and national levels about technologies that enable student access and engagement.
Kristen Gilfeather is an Assistive Technology Specialist at NEAT. She developed her passion for working with special education students when she became a paraprofessional for preschool students in the public schools. She soon found her way into occupational therapy and applied her skills across the lifespan, from school-aged students to adults in a nursing home. During her time in the public schools, Kristen also developed her love for assistive technology. She began training staff on various types of assistive technology across the district. Kristen is excited to combine her knowledge of strategies for improving an individual’s participation in daily activities with her love for assistive technology to help people of all ages and abilities achieve their highest levels of independence. Kristen can be reached at: Email: Kristen.Gilfeather@OakHillCT.og Follow Kristen on Twitter @NEATwithKristen.
Chapin Graham is an occupational therapy student at Johnson and Wales University, graduating in 2025. She received her undergraduate degree in international affairs and sociocultural anthropology at George Washington University in 2018. She currently works as a research assistant on Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center on the Mobile Device Assessment Tool (MoDAT) development project.
Jeff Greaves is the texthelp Regional Sales Director East. He can be reached at jeff@texthelp.com.
Crystal Greene has been an Associate Professor at the University of Rhode Island for the past twenty-two years and specializes in health and environmental communication. Crystal is a mother of a child with complex communication needs and an advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Ken Hackbarth is the president of Volksswitch.org – an organization devoted to the democratization of assistive technology by leveraging the power and promise of 3D printing. Prior to his current position he worked for almost three decades as a systems architect for AT&T Bell Laboratories and its subsequent divestitures. He has Master of Science degrees in both Evolutionary Biology and Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master of Education in Special Education, with a concentration in assistive technology, from Bowling Green State University.
Dr. Raymond T. Heipp, is a 30+ year veteran of administration and classrooms for general education and special needs students. He has designed many support programs for various schools, Head Start/Early Childhood Programs, Mental Health programs, and facilities. His expertise in assistive technology, sensory items, and creating holistic spaces has enabled him to design updated approaches when working with students of all abilities as well as adults. He currently works with schools and other institutions in classroom, sensory room, and specialized room design as well as consulting on how to best support all individuals in workspaces and which assistive technology and sensory items might be most appropriate in various situations and approaches to working with all individuals in various capacities. He has been called upon in the last few years to assist in the application of mental health supports within these environments as well. Dr. Heipp firmly believes that everyone, no matter what their ability, has a voice (or spirit) and deserves a chance to succeed. He suggests that we never doubt their abilities!
Ramón Hernández is an accomplished Assistive Technology Specialist at NEAT, with a background in Communication, Information Technology, Filmmaking, Marketing, and Special Education. With almost four years of experience in the field, Ramón specializes in assisting individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as those in Transition programs. He maintains close partnerships with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Development Services and also provides Smart Tech/Home Services and tours of NEAT’s Smart Home on Wheels (SHOW).
Crystal Rose Hill-Farrell has been at Wesleyan University since July of 2016. As Director of the Student Academic Resources department, her area of focus is to provide assistive technology consultations and training to individuals and groups on campus; she also started a Peer Technology Specialist program on campus. Her primary purpose is to assist others in learning how to use technology to their advantage, especially the free tools that are built into everyday devices. Crystal Rose has been a professional in the Disability Services field in higher education since 2010; she also worked in the field during her graduate and undergraduate programs. During this time, she has been an active member of CT AHEAD, and served on the Board for the 2019-2021 term. Crystal Rose holds a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Arts in the same from Eastern Connecticut State University.
Quinn Kelly is a Speech-Language Pathologist at a school for the Deaf in New York. She received her B.A in Linguistics with a concentration in American Sign Language from Montclair State University, and her M.S in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Mercy College. During her graduate work, she conducted research on “Interprofessional Training for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).” Her research focused on the importance of a team approach when implementing AAC systems. Since graduating, she has continued her efforts to raise awareness about assistive technology within community programs. She recently began servicing her school as the Assistive Technology Specialist, serving students ages three to twenty-one. She currently resides in NJ.
Naomi Leibowitz is an Assistive Technology Specialist who has evaluated and prescribed interventions to support clients’ goals in a variety of settings community, education and employment for over 20 years. Naomi has also provided leadership to Temple University to ensure that students with a disability have full access to the university experience. Naomi has been an educator to others on AT for everyone and UDL. She has presented at various national conferences including CSUN, AT Summit and Pacific Rim on how assistive technology benefits all – not just people with disabilities. She has conceptualized and submitted grant applications to support and promote Assistive Technology initiatives that supports the whole college community not just students with disabilities. Naomi believes if you design a product that includes everyone in mind, including people with disabilities, everyone will benefit.
Mike Marotta, RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). As a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), Mike has provided systems change support in several states (Michigan, New Jersey and New Hampshire) along with providing AT service delivery training to the national team at the MADA Center in Qatar. In Michigan, Mike collaborated with a statewide educational agency to deliver capacity building training at Regional Educational Service Centers (ESCs) in all regions of the state. These regional teams would then deliver training to LEAs to support effective AT consideration. Mike affects educational systems in NJ through his work with the state Assistive Technology Act (ATAC) where Mike serves as the Director. This federally funded program provides training and technical assistance to LEAs and the SEA on the successful implementation of AT, accessibility, accessible educational materials and UDL to ensure the success of every learner. In recognition for his work building capacity with SEAs and LEAs across the nation, Mike is an Advisory Board member for the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Services (CITES). In addition, Mike is regarded as a national expert in the areas of accessible educational materials and serves on the Advisory Board for the National Accessible Educational Materials Center.
Chelsea Maziarz is an Occupational Therapist and the Owner of Bizzy Bees Therapy in Cumberland, Rhode Island. She is a Certified Autism Specialist and has taught Assistive Technology courses to occupational therapy students at the graduate level.
Amy Rubin Mindell Director of Community Outreach & Assistive Technology, The Assistive Technology Training Center (ATECH) & MidState Arc Amy brings over 30 years of experience as an assistive technology specialist to her role at The Assistive Technology Training Center. In addition to a master’s degree in assistive and educational technology, she holds Enabling Technology Integration Specialist Certification (ETIS) from Tech First SHIFT and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification from RESNA. As one of the original founders of the Center for Educational and Assistive Technology at Southern Connecticut State University, Amy developed a program that was one of the first of its type in the country. Following SCSU, Amy spent the next decade at CAST, Inc. developing innovative assistive technology solutions for students and adults with disabilities and helped create the Universal Design for Learning principles that support all people. Amy brings her passion about assistive technology, access, and independence, along with her extensive experience in assistive technology professional development and assessments to the operations of the ATECH Center. Amy has presented at national assistive technology and educational technology conferences on innovative uses of assistive technology to support learners and adults with a wide range of disabilities as they strive to have full access to education, employment, and independent living.
Nia Monteiro is currently pursuing her doctorate in occupational therapy at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. She received a B.S in Biology and a minor in Psychology from Rhode Island College in 2018. She currently works as a research assistant for the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center (Wireless RERC) and their Mobile Device Assessment Tool (MoDAT) development project. She will be completing her doctoral capstone project as a continuation of her work done with the MoDAT development team. This project aims to create a client-centered educational training program that will instruct individuals with disabilities on using the accessibility features on their smartphone devices effectively and efficiently. This training program aims to decrease the barriers individuals with disabilities encounter when using a smartphone device and empower them to engage with their smartphones in new and productive ways.
Erin Naggy, OTD, OTR/L has 20+ years as an occupational therapist and now teaches in an OT program. She has taught assistive technology to Slippery Rock University entry-level OT students for multiple semesters. She also serves on the University Technology Advisory Committee, helping to match technology needs to the students and staff. She has previously presented for the Assistive Technology Industry Association.
Nicole Natale is a Senior Education Specialist for the CREC Resource Group. Nicole joined CREC in 2007 and leads CREC’s work in assistive technology (AT). With over 20 years as a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology practitioner, Nicole has focused her work with school districts on building capacity of teams in providing AT supports and services to students with disabilities. She also provides professional development, technical assistance, and training on a variety of topics regarding AT, inclusion, and adaptations for students with disabilities and Universal Design for Learning. She completes evaluations for students who require AT to access the general education curriculum, as well as for students who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Nicole also uses her expertise to conduct program review and audits of district special education programming in order to affect change for students with disabilities.
Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Pennsylvania State University. She is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association with her Certificate of Clinical Competency, has a State of Connecticut Department of Education Speech-Language Pathology certification, and has her Assistive Technology Professional Certification from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. Nicole also holds an Intermediate Administration or Supervision certification from the State of CT.
Edna-Jo Piccirillo received her Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from Southern Connecticut State University in 2015. It was there that she began to foster her professional interests in assistive technology, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorders. EJ also holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a Connecticut Department of Public Health license, and a Provisional Educator Certificate. She currently works for the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) in Connecticut providing AT and AAC technical assistance, evaluations, and consultations to the Greater Hartford region and beyond.
Tina-Marie Ranalli holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and conducts research in the fields of accessible and assistive technologies, human-computer interaction, social computing, and the digital humanities. She works on accessibility for people with disabilities, especially intellectual and developmental disabilities. She combines humanities critical thinking, especially in terms of marginalized populations, with her background in instructional design and her knowledge of computing technologies.
Beth Randall, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with two decades of experience in a variety of pediatric practice settings including serving as part of a school-based assistive technology team. She currently serves as a clinical assistant professor in the MSOT program at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY where her teaching duties include teaching assistive technology and mentoring the technology-based track of the capstone sequence. Beth also serves as the director of the Clarkson University Assistive Technology Resource & Education Center (ATREC), a satellite site for the NYS TRAID program. Beth presented a poster at ATiA in 2022. Beth also serves as an adaptive ski coach for STRIDE at Titus Mountain.
Jamie Rifkowitz is currently in her 11th year in education. As a former middle school math teacher turned district technology facilitator and coach, she has been able to bridge the gap between students, teachers and technology. A Google certified trainer and level 1 and 2 educator, Jamie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary education/Middle school math with a concentration in Mathematics. Her Master’s work includes that of curriculum and instruction as well as instructional technology. She was named the 2021-2022 Educational Service Professional of the Year and is an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Brittany Sorice is a Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Supervisor and AAC Specialist at Bizzy Bees Therapy in Cumberland, Rhode Island. She has extensive experience supporting children with complex communication needs through assistive technology and is passionate about educating the community on access to technology within the state of Rhode Island.
Kelli Suding is a technical assistance specialist for the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM Center) and the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), Kelli promotes the availability of accessible educational materials and technologies to ensure that all students have equitable and inclusive opportunities for learning. Kelli has keynote, national, state, and regional presentation and training experience. Kelli also has a strong understanding of and ability to connect theory to practice. Her instructional experience has been with students requiring mild, moderate, and intense intervention. Kelli’s specializations include autism, accessible educational materials & accessible technologies, Google Chrome accessibility & integration, specific learning disabilities, and Universal Design for Learning. Twitter: @ksuding.
Stephanie E Sweeton MS CCC-SLP/Ed.S. is a Speech-Language Pathologist for grades 7-12 and Adult Transition Services in the King Philip Regional School District in Massachusetts. Her special interests include Assistive Technology, development of Core Communicative Competencies, and American Sign Language. She enjoys helping all students communicate effectively in whatever modality works best for them and seeing them experience the power of language when all their pieces fall into place. Stephanie has presented at multiple conferences regarding American Sign Language, Cochlear Implants, and Language Development.
Krishna Venkatasubramanian is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Statistics at the University of Rhode Island (URI). He also directs the Accessible and Socially Aware Technologies (ASSET) lab (https://kven.me/asset). His work is situated at the intersection of accessibility, human computer interaction, and machine learning applied to understand and meet the needs of marginalized populations.
Jennifer White, CEO, Able Opportunities, Inc., is a Subject Matter Expert for the Office of Disability Employment Policy, a Corporate Disability Inclusion Specialist and National Technical Assistance Consultant. Her experience includes residential, community and work supports, university research, collaboration to honor and include the culture of first nation peoples, and cross agency projects serving people with intellectual developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, dual diagnoses, addiction history and veterans. Her drive to level the playing field with appropriate accommodations has resulted in decades of innovation. Her enthusiasm, based in functional solutions, is contagious.
Payton Williams is an Assistive Technology Social Supports Specialist at Disability Rights New Jersey. Payton is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, though she has advocated for accessibility and the disability community for as long as she can remember. During her undergraduate studies at Temple University, Payton studied abroad in Rome, Italy exploring barriers to traveling and living in other countries related to the disability community. She specifically analyzed the differences in European legal systems regarding accessibility and disability rights. Payton was committed to working with the disability community and over the last three years has worked with individuals with disabilities in all stages of life, from early intervention to geriatrics. She has a special interest in assistive technology and making assistive technology resources more accessible.
Margarita (Maggie) Wurm was introduced to assistive technology in 2004, when volunteering in her daughter’s special needs classroom and working for Easter Seals (Birth to Three) as their Spanish translator. When her daughter’s diagnosis changed to Rett Syndrome, Maggie made a promise to her daughter that she would not give up. She would be beside her to amplify her voice, advocate and learn ways to help her regain independence on everyday skills that she was losing. Maggie immediately starting volunteering in the Rett community and today is the Co-President of Rett Syndrome Angels. When she settled down in Massachusetts, her first job allowed her to become an educational advocate and as a resource coordinator learned about multi-disabilities through the Federation for Children with Special Needs. As a child Maggie living in various European countries and she picked up the native languages quickly, at the age of 5 she spoke 4 different languages. She learned early on the value of being emerged in an environment that allows autonomy of language. She was encouraged over the years to explore Assistive Technology as a career by her friend Kate Ahern. She attended the CSUN program in assistive technology and was the only “mom’ in the group of professionals that had experience in augmentative communication systems. And real-life experience of living with assistive technology and challenges it can be to support it. Maggie knew immediately she was meant to be in this field and fell in love with AT. But most of all is grateful to be able to help the most vulnerable with all abilities to shine to their fullest compacity. Maggie can be reached at Margarita.Wurm@OakHillCT.org.