Keynotes

We are thrilled to have Denise Ghizzone as our Thursday keynote speaker. A lifelong AT user, Denise will share insights on using technology to increase independence and discuss her TWO books: Determination: What I'm All About and Knowledge, Acceptance and Compassion: A Journey of Learning About, Understanding and Responding to People as Individuals.

From Denise:

Hi everybody, my name is Denise Ghizzone, and I am a teacher at the Schroth School in Monmouth County. It runs by Ladacin network. I am using an eyes gaze system. My communication device picks up my eyes on the black part on the bottom of my communication device. It shows me where I’m looking on the screen. The round circle, it is all about that. The circle makes it works, Wherever I am looking. I have a lot of pictures and the pictures represent words and or sentences. I have to remember the right order where they are. I am glad I have a great memory. The last 5 years I had this. I used to scan with a switch with my knee for years. I was the fastest at scanning. I scanned for 20 years but unfortunately, I had a neck operation which effected my movements a lot. Before and 21 years ago, I went to Brookdale and I have an English degree. I took all the creative writing courses because I loved to write when I was younger. I told everybody I’m going to be an author one day. Only my parents believed me. I wrote some amazing stories over the years. I am not good at my grammar but that didn’t stop me. I kept my favorite stories in my filing cabinet throughout the years about my childhood me of my adulthood.