Assistive technology consultant with 20 years of experience in: evaluation, assessment, trialing, implementation, training, and professional development in a wide range of assistive technologies. Working with K-12, Colleges, Non-Profit organizations, and Government Agencies.

Experience

Non-Profit Agencies

• Recruited to develop and build the Suzanne McGraw Foundation AT Lab for Star Inc. in 2021
• Worked with the architect to design the lab and office space
• Assisted in writing grants to secure a $330,000 award to bring SmartHome technologies to the managed group homes. 
• Managed the implementation of the technologies throughout the homes
• Trained staff on using the SmartHome technology 
• Helped in securing funding by conducting a “Tech Audit and Needs Assessment” for IT and Connectivity upgrades 
• Managed the installation of the IT upgrades
• Secured $100,000 in funding for purchasing equipment for the AT lab and lending library

• Worked with the executive director and director of philanthropy in responding to an RFP through DDS ARPA funding to become the recognized AT assessment center for Fairfield County
• Work directly with a third-party vendor to develop a CRM to manage Data and reports to support this effort.
• Supervise a department coordinator managing the daily operations of the department
• Conduct in-house assessments for Star Inc. participants in residential and day programs
• Providing assessments, reports, and implementations throughout Fairfield County on a wide range of assistive technologies under contract with DDS
• Assessments for individuals in self-directed, residential, and day programs
• Attend IP and IEP meetings as part of the assessment process
• Research and trial technologies based on the outcomes of assessments
• Technologies include: SmartHome, Security and Safety, Supported Independent Living, Remote Services, Vocational Transition, Educational Support, and Home Modifications

K-12 Public and Private Schools

• Worked directly with the Director of Pupil Services in assessing the use of current and potential assistive technology to create a scalable, differentiated curriculum for students with reading disabilities
• Identified and recruited key individuals within a district from various disciplines to create an assistive technology team to review the curriculum and individual student needs
• Worked with administrators, IT staff, team leaders, and teachers in the integration of assistive technology with current practices
• Conducted professional development training: Google Classroom, Texthelp, Lexia, Bookshare Reading Tools, Touch Chat, Proloquo, and various AT apps and hardware based on evaluations
• Worked with Reading Specialists, Behavioral, Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapists in defining and implementing AT goals
• Worked within schools every week to observe classrooms, develop ad hoc assignments, train, problem solve, and implement/support assistive technologies to achieve academic and IEP goals
• Worked directly with case managers and teachers to evaluate student needs
• Conducted individual student evaluations to achieve IEP goals
• Wrote actionable reports to achieve AT implementation

Colleges and Universities

• Worked with Dr. Sally and Dr. Bennett Shaywitz regarding the use of assistive technologies in the publishing of “Overcoming Dyslexia,”  while consulting with dyslexic students at Yale University  
• Consulted with learning support offices on the implementation of various technologies to make college-level curriculum more accessible to students
• Worked with the Resource Office on Disabilities to evaluate and train on technologies appropriate for students with multiple learning and physical disabilities
• Trained individual students and professors with disabilities
• Guest speaker at several Universities

Partial Client List

Star Inc. Lighting The Way…  Director of The Suzanne McGraw Foundation AT Lab. 2021 to present.

Norwalk Public Schools, Regional School District 17, Clinton Public Schools, Newtown Public Schools, Avon Public Schools, Coventry Public Schools, East Hartford Public Schools, Marvelwood School, Yale University, Quinnipiac University, Department of Developmental Services, BRS, Veterans Administration

Education – Training – Acknowledgments

Bureau of Education Research, Bellevue, WA

Train-The-Trainer – Flipped Learning That Works

Learning House, Guilford, Connecticut

Orton-Gillingham – Introduction to phonemic awareness and reading instruction strategies

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative, Dr. Penny Reed

AT – Evaluation Implementation and Training

Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut

Business Administration

Acknowledged in: “Overcoming Dyslexia” by Dr. Sally Shaywitz

Languages: English, Italian, and understanding of Spanish