Power Up AT Conference Presenters

Missouri Assistive Technology

Kara has been a Program Coordinator at Missouri Assistive Technology since September 2022. She is the Coordinator for the ETC Device Loan Program and the AT Reimbursement for Schools Program. She previously taught special education in Belton School District and Kansas City Public Schools. In Belton, she worked in the Autism Program with kindergarten through 4 ^th grade students, where many of the students used AAC devices. She is passionate about helping teachers find the right AAC devices for their students and implementing it in their classrooms. She provides outreach to many Missouri schools, educating them on assistive technology in schools, but primarily AAC devices.

UMKC – Institute for Human Development

Angelina Alpert serves as the Research Assistant on statewide projects focusing on aging and disability at the UMKC – Institute for Human Development. She has key roles in supporting the No Wrong Door Governance Grant and Missouri’s Statewide Technology Task Force project. Angelina received her Bachelor’s from the University of Delaware where she majored in Human Services with minors in Disability Studies and Psychology. She is currently working on a Master’s in Public Administration and the University of Missouri Kansas City.

East Texas Lighthouse

Megan Aragon, MBA, is a native AT user, instructor, and program administrator for East Texas Lighthouse. Her certifications include MOS Master, ZoomText, Texas Workforce Solutions Assistive Technology Unit Instructor, ProMOTE, and ATIP. Megan leads the AT team at East Texas Lighthouse, which has been providing nationally recognized virtual group training for the blind for the past 5 years.

Missouri Assistive Technology

David is the Director of Missouri Assistive Technology. He credits a chance encounter with Carlos Gomez for leading to a lifelong interest in how technology can positively impact lives.

Hearo

Myke can figure it out. Anything. A born builder, Myke’s success as a software developer has been recognized with numerous awards and leadership roles within the tech community. He believes in a more just world—one where we all have equal chances and opportunities. Through Hearo, Myke is helping to level the playing field for all of us.

Missouri Assistive Technology

Eileen is a Program Coordinator in her 15 ^th year at Missouri Assistive Technology. She is the Coordinator for The Show Me Loans program, Kids Assistive Technology program and ICT accessibility training. Over all she has 32 years of experience serving people with various abilities in AT, Ergonomics and Vocational Rehabilitation.

University of Missouri

Angela Branson is the Assistant Director of Accommodations at the MU Disability Center. The Disability Center coordinates accommodations for over 2,500 students. Angela’s current caseload consists of students in the School of Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine. She first joined the office as the Deaf Services Coordinator/Staff Interpreter in 2012, gradually taking on new and different roles in her journey to become a disability services professional. Prior to her post-secondary career, she worked for the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in various positions as well as in K-12 education as an interpreter for Special School District of St. Louis County. 

Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library

Lori came to Wolfner seven years ago and started as a reader advisor. She is now Director of Public Services.

Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities

Shelly Brown has served various roles with the Division of Developmental Disabilities for over 20 years. She currently serves as the UDAT Lead (Universal Design and Assistive Technology) specializing in the development and utilization of Environmental Accessibility Adaptation and Assistive Technology services to provide expertise for teams working to promote and encourage independence. Shelly is a SHIFT certified Enabling Technology Integration Specialist (ETIS), enabling her to provide an exciting perspective on how technology can advance individual outcomes.

Francis Howell School District

April Burton is an Instructional Technology Content Leader for the Francis Howell School District. Her role is to support PK-12 teachers to pair great teaching with great technology. April continuously works with teachers to “think differently” about instruction and assessment. Currently, April is developing and implementing the district’s Blended Learning initiative, as well as working to deepen teachers’ awareness of how to create accessible digital materials.

Self-Advocate

David spent most of his working career in service to others. First as a mechanic and then 10 years as a firefighter and eventually added an EMT license. David then started working on a CNA certification, but an injury that left him totally blind and with a speech impediment interrupted his journey. Despite it all, David still has the same heart for others and is always learning and seeking new ways to do things he used to take for granted and learning new things such as cooking and baking. David is starting to see a new role in teaching and encouraging others to overcome barriers, to do old things new ways.

Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

A Missouri native, Amber lost her hearing at 11 months old due to meningitis. She attended public school until middle school and then enrolled in high school and graduated from the Missouri School for the Deaf. She considers it a privilege having life experiences in both signing and speaking environments. She has fully immersed herself in deaf culture where she has expanded her love for the Deaf community and embraced her Deaf culture. She feels her identity as a Deaf person was a profound journey. Amber has worked as a Dorm Director Assistant and paraprofessional at the Missouri School for the Deaf where she has gained compassion for working with people. Amber has a degree in occupational therapy and is furthering her occupational therapy education at Central Methodist University. Throughout her educational journey, she collaborated with Services of Independent Living Center in Columbia, MO, and Rising Hope in Bothell, Washington where she has expanded her knowledge with assistive technology. Her rich experiences and professional background culminates in her current role as Hard of Hearing Program Manager at Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing working with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Missourians.

University of Missouri

Amber Cheek is the Director of Accessibility and ADA Coordinator for the University of Missouri – Columbia and for the UM System. She assists with managing all aspects of ADA compliance, including facilities accessibility, digital accessibility, program access, and reasonable accommodations for faculty and staff. Amber joined Mizzou as ADA Coordinator in 2014 after working as a Presidential Management Fellow at the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law.

NanoPac, Inc.

Vince Cianfrone, Vice President of NanoPac, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has spent the last 30 plus years matching, training, supporting, and programming not previously available solutions to the needs of people with various disabilities. Vince lives in Bixby, Oklahoma with his wife and 2 children and is a proud Oklahoma State Cowboys fan and graduate.

PRC-Saltillo

Betsy Clifford is an AAC consultant for PRC-Saltillo and has been in this role since February of 2015. She covers Kansas and Western Missouri. She has had the opportunity to work with people using AAC across the life span. Betsy is passionate about helping her clients have easy access to their AAC systems allowing them to live more independent lives and have empowering life experiences.

Paraquad, Inc.

Ms. Conley received her BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and her BA and MA in Political Science from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She served as the Public Policy and Youth Services Manager at Paraquad, Inc. from 2020 until 2022 when she became Paraquad’s Senior Director of Programs, Her responsibilities include overseeing several programs including the Independent Living, Peer, and Assistive Technology. She is a Certified Elevatus Sexuality Instructor has taught Paraquad’s Youth Healthy Relationships Curriculum as well as presented health and sexuality information for individuals with disabilities to the St Louis Area on Aging, the Five Star Center, and VOYCE.

MatchWare

Brandon, Product Manager at MatchWare Inc., is an expert in mind mapping software. His specialty is bridging the gap between mind mapping technology and children’s learning behaviors. Over the past 18 years, Brandon has been a key player in the development of assistive features as they relate to mind mapping software. Prior to MatchWare, Brandon worked with children diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Aspergers and other behavioral disorders. Utilizing the techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis, he focused on shaping children’s behavior to “mainstream” them into the traditional classroom and become independent in their residential setting. With degrees in economics and psychology, Brandon brings a unique skill set to mind mapping and assistive tools.

RJ Cooper & Associates

RJ Cooper wakes up every day to discover and invent solutions for kids and adults to achieve their full potential. His mission has been, and continues to be, to serve people through innovation and technology. He works hand-in-hand with parents, SLP’s, special education teachers, OT’s, PT’s, caregivers–every person who strives for that one seemingly impossible step forward, a blink of an eye, twitch of a nose, movement of a leg or toe, that enables your loved one to embrace life with enthusiasm. He believes everyone deserves the chance to learn, communicate, and thrive!

University of Missouri – Sinclair School of Nursing

Registered Nurse, Project Coordinator for ASSETs for AIP

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Marcia is the Senior Emergency Management Officer for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Senior and Disability Services. She has been with the Department since January, 2005. She is responsible for ensuring the Division has viable Emergency Operations and Continuity of Operations Plans and provides oversight and management of disaster planning and response efforts. During times of disaster, she coordinates Division efforts to safeguard the health and safety of the most at-risk clients, maintain continuous operation of the adult abuse and neglect hotline and ensure communication and assistance to the Area Agencies on Aging and Senior Centers.

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

Amanda has been visually impaired her whole life, and is passionate about assistive technology. She has been employed with Rehabilitation Services for the Blind for 6 years, and enjoys teaching a wide array of daily living skills and technology. She has a B.A. in English from Missouri State University, a M.A. in Information Science and Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri, and a M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Missouri State University. She loves music, books, movies, cooking, teaching, and spending time with family and friends and her Seeing Eye dog.

Children’s Therapy Center

Laurel is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Children’s Therapy Center. A graduate of the University of Central Missouri with 10 years of experience, Laurel is a member of the Assistive Technology Team and the Cerebral Palsy Multidisciplinary Clinic. Before moving to outpatient therapy, Laurel worked in the schools for 8 years with a focus on Autism and Life Skills programs at all grade levels.

Starkloff Disability Institute

Katie has a passion for career development, accessibility, and disability pride. With over 7 years of experience in career advising, Katie combines her expertise with her personal experiences as someone living with multiple invisible disabilities. She holds degrees in Business Administration and Management from Webster University. Using her knowledge and lived experiences, Katie created the highly successful Access U program. This program is a free career development program designed specifically for college students with disabilities, aiming to equip them with the skills and preparation they need to start their careers successfully. In addition to her role as Access U Coordinator, Katie also serves as a Disability Inclusion Consultant providing education and training to employers.

Francis Howell School District

Cathy is an occupational therapist by training and has over 25 years of experience in school-based services. She is currently the Therapeutic Services Coordinator (OT/PT, Assistive Technology, ADA Compliance) in the Francis Howell School District. She considers being happily married for 30 years and being the mom of two amazing young women among her most noteworthy accomplishments.

Joplin School District

My name is Maddie Goswick. I am a CTVI/COMS in Southwest Missouri and am passionate about making learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful to my students. I love Jesus, and that is why I am in education. I wish to spread His light to the students and families I serve. I do this a lot through the way technology is able to make learning fun and something my students look forward to. Technology is a great way to build relationships with students of all ages!

Caption Call by Sorenson

Starkloff Disability Institute

Jason has made improving the lives of people with disabilities his mission throughout his career. As Starkloff Disability Institute’s Disability Inclusion Lead Consultant, Jason combines his background as a social worker and career advisor with his own personal experiences living with both chronic mental health conditions and ocular albinism. Jason has trained and consulted with organizations including Ameren, BJC, Centene, Edward Jones, Emerson, Mercy Healthcare, Nestle Purina Petcare, Nordstrom, Permobil Seating and Positioning, Wells Fargo, and World Wide Technology. His workshops and webinars on disability inclusion have attracted thousands of attendees from across the country. Jason has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. He currently serves on the steering committee for the Gateway Employment Nexus and is an active member of the St. Louis Diversity and Inclusion Consortium and the STL SHRM DEIA Committee.

St. Louis Arc

Chris Helmick is the Assistant Director of Assistive Technology and has overseen the LifeTech program at the St. Louis Arc since 2022. Before that, Chris worked as a Board-Certified Music Therapist and started working at the Arc in 2020 as the Assistive Technology Coordinator for Transition Services. He has a variety of interests and experiences with technology, from accessibility features and standards to website and application design, and is credentialed as a TechFirst SHIFT Navigator. In his free time, Chris enjoys digital audio recording and engineering, playing video games, and learning animation.

ATvanced Care

William is a 32-year-old tech enthusiast with a love for the outdoors and a passion for technology. Married and a proud parent of four children, William finds solace in fishing and exploring nature. When not casting lines, William enjoys diving into the virtual world of video games. With extensive experience in electronics and tech devices, William is a seasoned professional in the field, driven by a relentless curiosity and desire to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Washington University

Laura serves as the Disability Resources primary Assistive Technology (AT) and technology-for-access expert at Washington University where she works directly with students to identify appropriate technologies to address disability-related barriers, and provide necessary training to equip students to have the greatest opportunity for success with their usage. Additionally, she coordinates the interpreting, communication, and text remediation needs of DR-connected students, and acts as a University leader in best practices for the assessment, procurement, and utilization of accessible technology.

Francis Howell School District

Kevin is a CATIS, COMS, NBCT-ENSVI, and TSVI hailing from Defiance, MO. He just completed his 25th year in the Francis Howell School District and his 18th year as the Director of the Summer Orientation and Adapted Living Resource (S.O.A.R.) Program for the Lighthouse for the Blind in St. Louis (a 3-week summer residential program for transition aged youth with visual impairment). He is also the owner of Hollinger Consulting, LLC.

Hulme Resources, Inc.

Jennifer Hulme is a seasoned veteran in the field of social services, with over 30 years of experience helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in every way shape or form from Special Education teacher to Employment Specialist, direct support, administration, support coordination, and everything in between. As the founder and Executive Director of Hulme Resources Inc., a non-profit agency providing supports and services to individuals I/DD across Missouri, Jennifer is deeply passionate about assisting in navigating what can be a very complex system of services. In addition to overseeing HCBS waiver programs, Jennifer’s leadership also extends to the Alternatives to Guardianship Project – a statewide grant project funded by the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council to provide consultation, resources, and training on guardianship alternatives within the state. She also is a a credentialed Work Incentives Practitioner and provides guidance on how individuals on Social Security benefits can work and earn some or all of their benefits each month.

University of Missouri – College of Health Sciences

Dr. Janes is an occupational therapist and Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri, where he runs the Assistive Technology Adaptation and Training (AT-AT) Lab. The AT-AT lab provides customizable AT solutions to people through MU Health outpatient clinics, the ALS Association, and Makers Making Change. Dr. Janes has served as Chair of the AOTA Technology Special Interest Section, Vice-Chair of the RESNA OT Professional Specialty Group, and is currently a Strand Advisor for the Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation Strand at ATIA.

e-NABLE

Dr. Jennings is a physical therapist whose clinical career was dedicated to assisting individuals in regaining mobility and adapting to life after limb loss. His involvement in this area led to an interest in how technology can enhance the lives of those with disabilities. As Director of Outreach at e-NABLE, Adam focuses on connecting people with affordable, customized prosthetic solutions. His role is grounded in a belief in community-driven efforts and the power of technology to make a real difference. He approaches his work with a combination of practical expertise and a commitment to inclusive, accessible solutions for all.

Helen Keller National Center

The Color-Coded Chef

Meet Terri, a remarkable individual embodying the spirit of M.O.M—Mom On a Mission. A devoted mother, Terri has passionately embarked on a mission to empower her child and others with intellectual developmental delays. Through The Color-Coded Chef, Terri transforms the kitchen into a classroom for life skills, fosters independence, and creates a community where everyone can shine. Her unwavering dedication is the driving force behind this inclusive culinary journey.

United Access

With over 30 years of experience as a wheelchair user and over 19 years in the adaptive vehicle industry, Stephen has a dual perspective as a retailer of adaptive vehicles and an end user. Throughout his career, he has been front and center when individuals with disabilities regained a new level of independence through vehicle modifications. Watching individuals overcome challenges and access the community once again has turned a job into a lifelong mission of restoring independence to those with physical challenges in our community.

University of Kansas Medical Center

Susan received her M.S. from Fort Hays State University and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Kansas. Currently she works as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and is the director of the Children’s Miracle Network AAC Lab at KUMC. Susan has provided clinical supervision for the past 4 years in the university setting, and enjoys teaching future SLPs about AAC. Prior to returning to academia, Susan practiced in a variety of clinical settings providing AAC evaluation and intervention services across the lifespan. Her clinical interests center on provision of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in the pediatric population. Her research focuses on professional development practices for SLPs in AAC.

Marshall Public Schools/DESE

Jana has been in education for over 20 years working in several different capacities. She has a BS in Psychology from Southwest Missouri State University, an MA in Education/Special Education (SEACT) from Missouri State University, and is currently working on her EdS at William Woods University. She is a Transition Coordinator and Special Education Teacher for the Marshall Public Schools. She also serves as a DESE Transition Liaison helping school districts throughout Missouri with all things transition. Additionally, Jana created and manages a website to share educational resources with others all over the world.

Missouri School for the Blind

Mike McQueen has been an educator for 26 years, with K-12 experience as a classroom teacher, ed tech specialist, and teacher librarian. He’s written several books about literacy and technology, speaks at local and national conferences, and is currently the librarian at Missouri School for the Blind. He lives in St. Louis and loves spending time with his family. Reach out to him through MikeMcQueen.com or X.com (formally Twitter).

National Seating and Mobility

Brittany is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) who has devoted her career to the adult-neurological setting. She spent seven years working in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, as a physical therapist, and has recently transitioned into the role of ATP with National Seating and Mobility. She believes that education is the best way to provide people with mobility needs the highest level of autonomy in their decision making. Her goal is to provide information to all members of the care team to promote improved safety, mobility, and quality of life. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the lake with her husband and three young daughters.

Missouri Assistive Technology

Scout has worked in the field of Assistive Technology for about 14 years after accidentally moving to the state of Missouri. He first worked at an independent living center in mid-Missouri and then transitioned to Missouri Assistive Technology Scout enjoys challenging projects and uses his skills in assistive technology to make the lives of others easier and more fulfilling.

North Kansas City Schools

Lisa is a Speech-Language Pathologist and has over 26 years of experience in the school setting. She is currently an Instructional Coordinator for Technology for the North Kansas City School District. Lisa’s passion throughout her career has been focused on ensuring students and teachers are empowered with the supports, tools and training they need to ensure all students can access teaching and learning.

Hulme Resources

Jody (Jo) Michael has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and has dedicated her career for over 20 years to advocating for people with disabilities. Jo began her career as a Direct Support Professional, and over the years filled many roles, including, House Manager, Program Director, Support Coordinator, Employment Services Specialist, and Quality Assurance Director. Jo’s motivation to work in the field of developmental disabilities, is driven by her passion to collaborate with a team of people to create and maintain a safe, inclusive, and equitable community in the Kansas City, Metro area for people with different abilities. Jo’s down time is spent with her grandchildren doing what they tell her to do.

Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Shanda Miller was born profoundly deaf to hearing parents. Spending the majority of her formative years in Seattle, Washington, she later sought a change and relocated to Missouri, where she has resided for 13 years. Miller’s academic pursuits involve obtaining three college degrees in accounting, deaf education, and IT with a focus on networking technology. Her educational journey led her to Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, a globally recognized distinguished academy for the deaf. Throughout her professional journey, Miller pursued positions in the field of deaf education. She also served as an educator at the Interpreter Training Program, teaching American Sign Language courses. Additionally, she worked with Sorenson Communications, where her responsibilities included the installation of video phone systems in customers’ workplaces and. Navigating a world designed primarily for the hearing presents challenges for Miller, fostering resilience and fortifying her character. Her rich professional background culminates in her current role as the Missouri Interpreter Certification System Coordinator at the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In this capacity, she continues to make meaningful contributions to the empowerment and advocacy of the deaf community.

Gray Matters Alliance

Aaron Milligan is a certified and licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences from Meramec Community College. While working through school, Aaron began working as a rehabilitation technician at the age of 19 and over the years has worked in Acute Hospital Rehabilitation, Geriatric Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, Home Health, Administration of Rehabilitation Facilities, and Wheelchair and Medical Equipment Sales. In 2018, he joined Gray Matters Alliance, an assistive technology and DME company with a mission is to help individuals be more independent and safer in their own environment. He is now Co-Owner of GMA where he provides different remote supports and new enabling technologies to the company’s portfolio.

Ozark Public Schools

Stephanie is a teacher for students with visual impairments for the Ozark Public Schools. She has worked for Ozark for the past twelve years, the first nine having been spent working in special education with students with severe and multiple disabilities in grades Pre-K through 8th grade. In 2016 she received her Master’s degree from West Virginia University in the area of Severe and Multiple Disabilities and in 2021 completed a graduate certification in the area of Blindness and Low Vision at Missouri State University. She is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional and loves that AT makes learning accessible for the students she has the privilege of working with.

Children’s Therapy Center

Jessica is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). She is a graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia and currently works for Mizzou Therapy Services at Children’s Therapy Center in Columbia, MO. She has worked there for 9 years and has experience working in inpatient rehab, outpatient pediatrics, multidisciplinary pediatric clinics (Cerebral Palsy Clinic, Spina Bifida Clinic, Infant Toddler Development Clinics), NICU, intensive therapy program, and assists with assistive technology evaluations.

LumiCare Inc

Madison is the Director of Operations at LumiCare Inc. and is an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP).

University of Missouri

Abbie O’Sullivan has a master’s in social work degree and is a Director in the Division of Information Technology at the University of Missouri. She has over 24 years of higher-ed IT experience including IT support, Infrastructure, software licensing and compliance, strategic planning, creating policy, educating, building relationships, and creating an accessible digital campus for persons with disabilities. Abbie started her career working with students, faculty and staff with disabilities and hasn’t left this exciting and ever-changing field. Technology in education has a profound impact on what students are able to accomplish and many have been able to accommodate themselves independently. Her favorite quote is: “For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.”

Map Habit

With over three decades of dedicated service, Jackie Powell stands as a stalwart advocate for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Beginning her career as a case manager within the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities, Jackie’s unwavering passion propelled her through various roles, ultimately leading to her pivotal tenure as Assistant Director for six transformative years.

In 2022, after a distinguished career, Jackie embraced a new chapter by joining MapHabit. Drawn to the organization’s innovative approach and unwavering dedication to empowerment, Jackie continues her impactful journey, leveraging her wealth of experience and compassionate leadership to drive positive change within the I/DD community.”

Park Hill School District

Kristen is a Speech-Language Pathologist and AAC Specialist for the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, Missouri. She received her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Rockhurst University in 2013. Kristen has a particular interest in working with students with autism as well as students with complex communication needs. Kristen has a passion for teaching her students to become competent and independent communicators. She has piloted several different forms of AAC groups as well as pushed for increased literacy instruction for AAC learners. Kristen serves on the board of Sophie’s Run at Lake Waukomis; a foundation that provides communication devices for students in need. She is the author of the Instagram account AAC to the Core describing her experiences working with students with complex communication needs who use AAC.

DeafLEAD

Heidi graduated from William Woods University with a Bachelor of Science in English to ASL Interpretation and is the owner of SFC Interpreting. She worked as a freelance interpreter for 20 years in a variety of settings such as legal, medical, mental health, vocational, educational, political, and theatrical. In 2020 Heidi decided to settle down and joined DeafLEAD full time as a Master Trauma Interpreter. She now presents workshops on a national level to a variety of agencies as well as interpreters. Heidi is married to Justin Rich and together they have 8 children. Heidi has worked as an interpreter for over 24 years.

AACExperience

Heather is a passionate parent and AAC/Educational consultant from Saint Louis, specializing in complex communication needs and is dedicated to uniting diverse teams—medical, school, and outpatient professionals—by prioritizing open communication. She advocates a holistic approach to prioritize AAC users’ well-being, focusing on sustainable and adaptable solutions for evolving communication needs. She aims to foster collaboration, support, and empowerment for families worldwide.

University of Missouri – Sinclair School of Nursing

Occupational Therapist, Care Coordinator for ASSETs for AIP

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Mary Ross is a dedicated leader currently serving as the District Supervisor for Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation in the Farmington area. She has served individuals with disabilities for more than 19 years. During this time, she has had the opportunity to work with various populations, including but not limited to, general intake, transition-aged youth and those with rehabilitation and assistive technology needs. In addition to her years of service with VR, she previously supported individuals with disabilities in a residential setting. She holds a teaching certificate for Library and Media Information studies. It is clear Mary has a passion in supporting individuals to be successful in all aspects of life, especially employment. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, landscaping and listening to audio books and podcasts.

Director, Simone Technology Center – Pacer Center

Paul has been with PACER’s Simon Technology Center for seven years. He has focused on work with teens and adults in the areas of computer access, academics, recreation, and any unique assistive technology needs. In addition to his role as Director of the STC, Paul is also the Coordinator of Tech for Teens; a monthly workshop series to introduce teens with disabilities to all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Paul has previous experience working in curriculum development and instruction and has education in mathematics and computer science. He enjoys helping all individuals discover new strategies in addition to new technology to help them achieve their goals.

ATvanced Care

Aaron is a 37-year-old entrepreneur who found his calling in the realm of smart home technology. Inspired by the desire to help his grandfather maintain his independence, he leveraged his passion and knowledge to establish a successful business. Seven years into marriage, Aaron and his spouse are proud parents of two delightful children—Cain, a six-year-old son and Ellison, a newborn daughter. Witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of smart home devices on his grandfather’s life, Aaron remains dedicated to empowering individuals to lead safe and independent lives through innovative technology.

Bellatech Consultants

Jedidiah has dedicated over 20 years to training and implementing assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities. As the founder of Bellatech Consultants, Jedidiah has been offering guidance and training solutions to enhance the lives of individuals with diverse needs.

State of Missouri – OA/ITSD

Lainie Strange is a Web Accessibility Specialist for the State of Missouri – ITSD Web Team. Her job includes technical web support for both the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education websites. Around 2003, she became involved in state web accessibility collaboration efforts across various agency web teams. After becoming familiar with JAWS screen reader through Missouri Assistive Technology, as well as expanding her knowledge of web accessibility techniques and law, she evolved into the web accessibility go-to person on the ITSD web team. Her position involves web accessibility testing, support, education, and outreach.

University of Missouri

Ellie Stitzer is the Accessibility and ADA Manager for the University of Missouri – Columbia. She assists with managing all aspects of ADA compliance, including facilities accessibility, digital accessibility, program access, and reasonable accommodations for faculty and staff. Ellie is a Columbia native and Mizzou alum, having graduated summa cum laude from the College of Health Sciences in 2019. Ellie earned a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, where she co-founded and served as President of the Disability Law Caucus. Prior to her return to Mizzou’s campus, she worked as a Legal Fellow at the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council.

PRC-Saltillo

Catlaina is an adult with autism and an expressive speech disability. She uses an AAC device and works for PRC-Saltillo as an ambassador. She believes AAC is a great benefit for many with complex communication needs and wishes to further awareness of and access to AAC.

Ozark Public Schools

Kristen is an Occupational Therapy Practitioner in the Ozark R-VI School District where she has been practicing in pediatrics for about 10 years, but has worked with a variety of ages. Her focus in schools is supporting teachers and helping students develop self-regulation skills, motor skills, vision skills, etc. to increase their independence and functional engagement at school. Utilizing assistive technology with students is often imperative to their success, engagement, and independence in the classroom environment.

Vancro

Brett was born totally blind and lost his hearing later in his childhood. Through Cochlear Implants and other technology, he is able to function and communicate in society. After many years working in the AT industry as a technology trainer, Brett became involved with DeafBlind advocacy. He serves as President of Sight and Sound Impaired of St Louis, a support organization for DeafBlind individuals and their families. Brett was hired in May of 2023 as Vancro’s DeafBlind services program manager, overseeing the SSP programs in Missouri and Nebraska.

MC5

As a seasoned Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Sennora has dedicated her career to the intersection of marketing and operations within the healthcare sector. Currently serving as the President of MC5, She is deeply committed to leveraging her expertise for the greater good. With a servant’s heart at her core, Sennora is passionate about discovering and providing resources that support individuals. Sennora’s journey is marked by a steadfast dedication to enhancing the lives of those she encounters and ensuring they receive the highest quality of care and support.

Paraquad

Rush acquired a spinal cord injury 25 years ago at the age of 16 and thus brings his lived experience to his position as the Assistive Technology Specialist at Paraquad. He coordinates with the Peer Outreach specialists who visit the Stephen A. Orthwein Center at Paraquad and area rehabilitation facilities to educate participants, their caregivers, and health care professionals as to what assistive technology is available. He is a Certified Elevatus Sexuality Instructor and assists in teaching our Youth Healthy Relationships Curriculum. He is in the process of completing his ADA Coordinator Certification. He also serves as the advisor to the advocacy organization People First – St. Louis.

North Kansas City School District

Kara is a Speech-Language Pathologist by training and has over 20 years of experience working in special education. She is currently the Assistive Technology Specialist in the North Kansas City School District. She collaborates with school based teams to conduct evaluations, acquire devices and support implementation of assistive technology for students Pre-K-12th grade.

CaptionCall by Sorenson

Steffanie works for Sorenson Communications as an Outreach Area Manager for CaptionCall services in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Prior to joining Sorenson, Steffanie was a teacher who worked in the juvenile justice system and in the Chicago Public Schools. Steffanie takes pride in her role as advocate for those with hearing loss and is passionate about helping others, while connecting people with the service they need to live independently.

Missouri Assistive Technology

Brenda is the Coordinator of the TAP for Internet program and the iCanConnect (National DeafBlind Equipment Program) at Missouri Assistive Technology. She has 25 years of experience in serving people with various disAbilities, in assistive technology, case management, residential and employment services. She is a certified AT Professional (ATP).