Apple Education
Elizabeth Burns is the Associate Director of the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center. She has presented at ALA, PLA, YALSA, and state library programs. Her articles have appeared in The Horn Book and School Library Journal.
Kiuanta Canteen graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD with a Master of Arts in Hearing and Speech Sciences in 2003. Her clinical experience includes treating both children and adults across the lifespan in the areas of voice and resonance, dysarthria, dysphagia, aphasia, receptive/expressive language, fluency, cognitive-communication disorders (attention, memory, executive functioning, problem-solving), and augmentative-alternative communication systems across multiple clinical settings in various capacities, including schools, acute/subacute /outpatient rehabilitation, in addition to community outreach therapy programs. She is currently a Clinical Education Specialist with EyeTech Digital Systems. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence with the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA), Certificate of Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD-NY) and multi-state licensure.
Cristine Chickadel leads the NJ ABLE Program at the NJ Division of Disability Services directing the state program’s development, strategies, compliance, legislative initiatives and national alliance directives. Before joining the state division, Cristine previously served for six years at Atlantic County Government as the Director of Disability Services and ADA Coordinator. There she led the Disability Advisory Board, spearheading a multitude of initiatives including the first Accessible Beach Guide, accessible parking projects, transportation resources and implemented ADA public policy and steered employee accommodations. Cristine holds a Bachelors from Marist College, ADA Coordinator Certification from the University of Missouri and has nearly completed her Master’s Degree in Disability Studies at CUNY, New York.
Dr. Elizabeth Dalton is principal consultant for Dalton Education Services International (DESI), and has over 45 years of experience teaching students and teachers in special education and assistive technology at K-12 and higher education (RI College, URI, and Boston College). She holds a Ph.D. in Education Leadership from the University of Rhode Island and was a post-doctoral fellow in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Leadership at Boston College and CAST, Inc. In 1987 with colleague, Judith Carlson, she co-founded the TechACCESS Conference of RI (now the Assistive Technology Conference of New England) and in 1990, co-founded the TechACCESS Center of RI https://www.techaccess-ri.org/ . Dr. Dalton consults nationally and internationally in UDL, curriculum/program development, technology applications, accessibility, and inclusive instructional design. Professional educational organizations she has been affiliated with include ISTE, IASE, SITE, UDL-IRN, and most recently the INCLUDE Collaboratory https://include.wp.worc.ac.uk/ . Dalton is co-editor of 3 international books focused on inclusive education and UDL: Universal Access Through Inclusive Instructional Design: International Perspectives on UDL (Routledge 2020), and the partner books, Building Inclusive Education in K-12 Classrooms and Higher Education: Theories and Principles and Developing Inclusive Environments in Education: Global Practices and Curricula (IGI-Global, 2023).
Janet DeSenzo has been working in the field of assistive technology for more than 20 years. She started working with college students at the university level, assisting students with disabilities as the coordinator of Disability Services at a William Paterson University. From there, she started her own educational consulting company, JanTech Educational Services, that focused on training and consulting in the field of assistive technology. 14 years later, Janet entered the public-school arena as a technology coach and A.T. specialist, for the Vernon Township schools. She is currently the technology coordinator and assistive technology specialist at CTC Academy in Oakland and Fairlawn, New Jersey. She can found on Twitter at @jantechNJ and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jantech
Priscilla Danielson has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for many years and a consulting specialist in AT/AAC for approximately 20 years. Dr. Danielson has worked in a variety of clinical and consulting positions providing teacher and caregiver education, as well as program development for AT/AAC capacity in the public schools, advice to legal entities and AAC training of caregivers and stakeholders. Over the past 15 years Dr. Danielson has been transitioning to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of Assistive Technology, Universal Design for Learning, Inclusive Education, Language Development and Disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Speech Sound Disorders. Dr. Danielson currently is engaged in full-time teaching within a graduate program for speech-language pathologists, developing program and community outreach in AAC and building a university-wide curriculum for using partner-assisted scanning across the age spans and within social, educational, and medical environments. Current research interests are in the areas of eye-gaze as an effective game access strategy, the intersection of AAC and transgender population vocabularies, and working memory and AAC.
Professor Brandi N. DeVeaux and Lynn Tighe of Goodwill Medical to provide an educational experience to prevent injury and falls, manage maintenance of adaptive equipment, and promote safe use of adaptive equipment and assistive technology in the home environment. Salus University OT Students are in their second year of graduate level courses and preparing for internship in clinical settings. Under the leadership of OT Professor and clinician, Brandi N. DeVeaux, the students will educate on use of adaptive equipment commonly purchased by community members at Goodwill Medical in Bellmawr, NJ to promote overall health and wellness.
Leslie DiChiara is an Assistive Technology Specialist in the North Bellmore Union Free School District in North Bellmore, New York where she receives a salary. Prior to this position, she served the district as an General Education teacher in the integrated classroom setting. Between both positions she has 21 years of combined experience in the field of education and technology. As the AT Specialist, Leslie functions as a diagnostic team member and provides ongoing assistance to students, staff, and parents on the full continuum of communication and technology supports. She plays a key role in identifying appropriate educational technology for all types of classroom applications, including the needs of special education students, and is an advocate of leveraging technology to improve student learning outcomes, curricular access, and equity in education for all students. Leslie has presented locally and nationally on a variety of curricular and technology topics at LITES, PATINS A2E, ATIA, UDL-IRN, CATE, NHAT and ASSET. Her passion for assistive technology is founded upon providing the community of students she works with the opportunity to access their learning and demonstrate their full capabilities through the use of the technology.
Stephen Felle is the Outreach Librarian for the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center. He has been with TBBC for five years now. Besides helping people with their books, Stephen goes all around the state to promote the library and meet with members. He has presented at NJLA and numerous other local conferences. He also assists people with NFB-Newsline and TBBC’s LEAP Program.
Kate Flaxman M.S., CCC-SLP is an Augmentative Communication Specialist with Advancing Opportunities. She has been practicing as a Speech Language Pathologist for 14+ years. She has had a diversified experience working with individuals with complex communication needs who benefit from AAC in early intervention, schools, adult placement settings, homes, and employment. She strives to promote communication for the purpose of improving lives through interactions with parents, peers, caregivers, school personnel, and community members.
Catherine Fredericks is a Speech/Language Pathologist with over 45 years experience serving students with significant communication challenges. In addition to National and State accreditation in her field, Catherine is also credentialed as an Autism Specialist, Assistive Technology Professional, and is a certified Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) professional. She is Recording Secretary on the Board of Directors for The NJ Coalition for the Advancement of Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology (NJCART) and is a member of the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA) AAC committee. Catherine has a Northern NJ private practice specializing in AAC advocacy and support. She is passionate regarding the need for greater public awareness of AAC in local communities. She has been instrumental in the design and construction of Playground communication boards in Wayne and beyond, and serves as a resource for others who are developing playground boards in their own communities. Catherine received the 2021 NJSHA Humanitarian Award in recognition of her advocacy regarding the creation of custom core vocabulary Playground Communication Boards. She is the 2023 recipient of the NJ Clinical Achievement Award for ASHA Foundation Recognition, and has recently been recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as an Innovator in her field.
Teresa Giardina,M.ED, (she/they) Co-Director HMS Connect and Special Education Teacher Tgiardina@hmsschool.org 215-222-2566 x113 Teresa Giardina is the Co-Director of HMS Connect and a special education teacher at HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy where she has been employed for over a decade. Her professional journey started with volunteer opportunities, then paraprofessional work, onto a classroom teacher, and now education administration. Teresa is a proponent of DIY assistive technology, playful exploration, and interpersonal play. Outside of school, Teresa can be seen playing with her own children, officiating roller derby, and questing for the best vegan wings. After presenting at Closing the Gap, HELIX, and ATIA, Courtney and Teresa launched an Instagram account documenting their games and conference appearances: check them out at Adapt_Play_Connect.
Mary Giunta has thirty years of experience as a Speech Pathologist and has implemented and evaluated AAC in multiple settings, including public schools, private practice, hospitals, outpatient clinics and early intervention. She is enthusiastic about collaborating, training and developing the routines and strategies that support successful AAC outcomes. Since 2008, Mary has focused her efforts on the public school system. She currently serves over 20 districts in the Boston area. Mary earned her degrees from Boston University and Northwestern. She is always committed to learning more, and doing better.
Karen Gliniecki is a speech-language pathologist who has been specializing in Augmentative-Alternative communication (AAC) for over 30 years. She loves working with teams and families to make communication accessible to those with communication challenges. Karen works throughout north and central New Jersey.
Tom Grady is a non-profit advocacy and public affairs professional with expertise in the following areas: government relations, public policy, advocacy, and communications. Mr. Grady currently serves as Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. The mission of the Alliance is to improve the quality of life for anyone impacted by brain injury by providing support, advocacy, and information, while promoting brain injury prevention. In this role, he functions as a bipartisan, collaborative, and pragmatic government relations professional. Mr. Grady serves as staff liaison to Voices Advancing the Brain Injury Community one of the Alliance’s advocacy committees whose mission is to champion and publicize the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have survived a brain injury. In this capacity, he assists with preparing and implementing meetings and addressing follow-up activities. He assists with defining the needs of the committee; providing counsel on how to advocate; implementing the group’s signature event, Mike-at-the-Mic; defining independent activities for members; and raising awareness of Voices through social events and other activities.
Courtney Grimes has been a special education teacher at HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy for 17 years. Her early experiences as a camp counselor at Easter Seals inspired her to infuse play and playful exploration in all that she does. Courtney aims to create accessible play activities for all her students using assistive technology and creativity. Courtney also enjoys being an involved fun aunt, a rucking aficionado, and a dedicated Steelers fan. After presenting at Closing the Gap, HELIX, and ATIA, Courtney and Teresa launched an Instagram account documenting their games and conference appearances: check them out at Adapt_Play_Connect.
Garth Heid has over thirty five years of experience working in the field of assistive technology and direct client services. He has provided services encompassing all aspects of technology designed for people with disabilities at home, school, and in the work place. Garth currently specializes in providing home accessibility evaluation and consulting services for a multitude of funders throughout New Jersey.
Patricia Holzman, has been an educator at the A. Harry Moore School in Jersey City for over 30 years. She recognized early in her career the impact technology can have on the educational and social journey of her students. Patricia has been an advocate of finding the best AT devices for her students with low-incidence disabilities. Being a life-long learner, Patricia has received a doctorate in Educational Technology Leadership completing a dissertation on the delivery of AT to students with ASD in postsecondary education. Patricia previously served as the Recording Secretary and is currently serving as the Vice President on the NJCART Board of Directors.
Rachel Ishak received her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from Cairn University and her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Licensed Social Worker and a certified School Social Worker. Rachel has experience as a case manager for adults with developmental disabilities, working to connect them to both state and community resources. She now serves as a Community Outreach Specialist and the Director of Camp TREK at the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, where she is responsible for engaging and educating the community about brain injury and overseeing a camp program for brain injury survivors.
Quinn Kelly is a bilingual, American Sign Language (ASL)-fluent, certified Speech-Language Pathologist at a school for the Deaf in New York. She received her B.A in Linguistics from Montclair State University with a concentration in ASL, and her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Mercy College. Currently, Quinn works at a school for the Deaf, primarily servicing Deaf-Disabled students targeting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and expressive and receptive language in ASL. As a bilingual therapist, Quinn specializes in working with AAC with individuals with multiple disabilities. Quinn has worked with both neurotypical and complex communicators through various bilingual approaches with ASL and AAC. She has founded a parent-child AAC organization focusing on bridging the gap of home and school AAC use, as well as developed and published an informal assessment for AAC. Quinn has conducted and presented research about AAC use with d/Deaf individuals on the national and international level. Quinn currently holds her ASL-PI certificate from Gallaudet University. She currently resides in New Jersey.
Jason Khurdan has a passion for building strong teams that accomplish what others view as impossible. I believe that people help people, not programs or technology. My formula for success has always been: Adding value to my staff through assisting them in growing, making informed- data-driven decisions, and using technology to accelerate what we are doing. My background is in business, technology and accessibility. I have worked in the field of accessibility for over 10 years. I'm currently oversee University-wide accommodations at Rutgers University.
Adam Krass has over 30 years of experience in the field of assistive technology. He has provided assistive technology services to children and adults with disabilities in school, work and home settings. Having worked in non-profit organizations, K-12 schools, universities, equipment manufacturers and, now as a consultant, Adam has extensive experience with all phases of assistive technology. He is based in Northern NJ.
Dina Krupka is an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or would benefit from it as a member of their team. Her experience includes supporting students with a variety of diagnoses including cerebral palsy, CVI and rare genetic disorders. Ms. Krupka’s recently received her doctorate in occupational therapy at Touro University. She created a checklist of best practices as part of her doctoral project to define OTs role in this area and allow OTs to be more comfortable assisting speech therapists in making students more independent throughout their day.
Tracy Lee is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in AAC for individuals across the lifespan with developmental and acquired disabilities. She is a member of the Gramon Family of Schools administrative team. Tracy is also on the Board of Trustees for NJCART and the Alliance of Private Education Schools in North Jersey. She has presented at numerous professional conferences on various topics in AAC and related services across the lifespan.
Anne Masters, PhD, FAAIDD is the Director of the Office for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities for the Archdiocese of Newark, where she draws on evidence-based practices to promote synergy between faith proclamations and the experiences of persons with disabilities in local parishes. She collaborates with Catholic, ecumenical, and interfaith partners and has contributed to the work of the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities (NCPD), is a member and Fellow of the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) and a past president of its Religion & Spirituality Interest Network. Anne presents on concerns at the intersection of theology, disability, and pastoral practices in the US and Europe. Recent published works include "Considering a Case for Rights and Charity." International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church, 1 (2022); “Spirituality for Synodality – Hope for Persons with Disabilities?” Spiritus, 1 (2023); “Promoting Responsibility of Persons with Disabilities within a Renewed Theological Anthropology.” Catechetica ed Educazione (Catechesis and Education), April (2023). She was awarded her PhD in Theology in 2020 from Vrije Universiteit for her thesis, Who Do You Say That I Am? Overcoming the Marginalization of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the US Catholic Church,
Laurie G McGowan holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Elizabeth, in Elementary Education / Special Education and Early Childhood Education. She holds a Master of Education degree from Simmons College, in Assistive Technology and Alternative and Augmentative Communication. In addition, Laurie is a certified RESNA ATP (Assistive Technology Professional). After 16 years doing Family Support / Respite services working directly with individuals and their families from birth to 99. And 21 years in the classroom as an Educator; Laurie took a lateral transfer to Assistive Technology and she has never looked back. For the last 3 and a half years Laurie has been working with individuals in the over 21 programs at Bancroft.
Linda Chinman Pollock is Founder and CEO of Setting The Stage LLC- is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist and Certified Living In Place Professional During Linda’s 35+ year career, she learned everything she possibly could about construction. Working with large national developers to renovate buildings turning them into condos, and working with high-end residential project managers. She also currently owns North Jersey Home Maintenance Group, a full service home maintenance and management company in Northern NJ. As someone with an aging parent herself, she understand the challenges adult children face when they get push back about making modifications to a family home. And then some of her clients began to have issues — some were aging and having difficulty navigating stairs and showers; younger people had life-changing situations, and spouses fell ill and needed handicapped modifications to their homes. Now, through Setting the Stage, she is on a mission to modify homes so that people with compromised abilities — either from aging issues or because of a disability — can “Age in Place” and “Live in Place,” staying comfortably in the home they love.
Beth Poss is an educational and technology consultant, accessibility and inclusion advocate, speech/language pathologist, former special education administrator, and former assistant principal. In addition to her independent consulting, she is the Director of Educational Programs for LessonPix. Beth is passionate about designing educational environments that support all students in accessing a rigorous curriculum and meeting educational outcomes. In her work with school districts, universities and national and state level organizations she focuses on literacy, augmentative and alternative communication, Universal Design for Learning and inclusive educational practices. She is one of the authors of Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year, released in August 2021.
Nicole Pratt a single working mom of two young adults’ who both have special health care needs. Nicole is a strong advocate for both her children and for other families who struggle to obtain appropriate education supports and healthcare services for their children. Nicole sits on several New Jersey State, national and local parent leader advisory committees/ boards that support/empower families and children. Nicole works for The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network as a Senior Parent Professional Trainer educating parents and professionals, which include teachers, administration, and community organizations on an array of education along with health topics across New Jersey and nationally. Nicole is the Project Director on the Leaders Empowered as Advocates with Dignity project coordinating trainings and support for women around healthcare messaging. She is also The Diverse Parent Engagement Development & TA Facilitator on the Leadership in Family Professional Partnership project. BS Psy, MAT
Kelly Quinn is a bilingual, American Sign Language (ASL)-fluent, certified Speech-Language Pathologist at a school for the Deaf in New York. She received her B.A in Linguistics from Montclair State University with a concentration in ASL, and her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Mercy College. Currently, Quinn works at a school for the Deaf, primarily servicing Deaf-Disabled students targeting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and expressive and receptive language in ASL. As a bilingual therapist, Quinn specializes in working with AAC with individuals with multiple disabilities. Quinn has worked with both neurotypical and complex communicators through various bilingual approaches with ASL and AAC. She has founded a parent-child AAC organization focusing on bridging the gap of home and school AAC use, as well as developed and published an informal assessment for AAC. Quinn has conducted and presented research about AAC use with d/Deaf individuals on the national and international level. Quinn currently holds her ASL-PI certificate from Gallaudet University. She currently resides in New Jersey.
Kristen Russell is an Assistive Technology Specialist at Advancing Opportunities with a degree in occupational therapy. She has been certified by RESNA as an Assistive Technology Professional since 2006. At Advancing Opportunities, she provides assistive technology evaluations and trainings to children and adults with all types of disabilities to help them improve their independence at school, work, and home. She works with a variety of agencies including the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, School Districts, NJ Traumatic Brain Injury Fund, and Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Laurie Schaller serves as a Manager of Financial Empowerment at National Disability Institute (NDI). Laurie manages and coordinates activities and builds partnerships with federal, state and local community leaders in her role managing the National Disability Institutes Assistive Technology Loan Program in New Jersey and New York. In addition, she serves as a nationally known subject matter expert on the public workforce system, Social Security Disability benefits planning and financial education and coaching. Laurie is certified as a Community Work Incentives Counselor and a key member of the ABLE National Resource Center providing support on Disability Benefits, Assistive Technology Loans, and ABLE accounts. Laurie has a Bachelor of Science: Community & Human Services / Empire State College.
Barbra Seltzer is a Speech/Language Pathologist with more than 30 years of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs. Barbra has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practice, special needs schools, early intervention, and home-based therapy. Currently, she is the Director of Access Communication and Therapy, a private practice in Northern New Jersey which provides AAC evaluations and therapy to children and adults. Barbra has a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association, a New Jersey license to practice Speech/Language Pathology and Certification by the New Jersey Department of Education as a Speech/Language Specialist. She is PROMPT trained and is Chair of the New Jersey Speech/Language and Hearing Association’s Committee on Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Barbra is also a member of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America and is certified as an Assistive Technology Professional. Barbra believes that all people have a right to be heard, understood, and respected.
Jessica Smith. I have high functioning autism. I am a class of 2023 high school graduate from The County Alternative High School in PA. I am highly interested in assistive technology and accessibility. I love using switches and learning to switch adapt toys. I was a Tech OWL AT Champion for the 2022-2023 school year and I continue to work with Tech OWL and other groups that work with assistive technology and AAC. I hope to go to collage in the 2024-2023 school year to work on growing my knowledge of AT and other disabilities.
Wendy Thompson, Ed.D, a special education teacher, has worked with students with complex needs for thirty years. The past twenty-five years as a demonstration teacher for the A.Harry Moore School of New Jersey City University located in Jersey City, New Jersey. With experience as an early interventionist, camp counselor, and an adjunct instructor, Wendy has worked with individuals with disabilities over the life span. Combining her interest in technology and her skill set as an educator, Wendy earned her doctorate in Educational Technology Leadership. A wish to learn more about assistive technology through professional development while increasing her personal professional learning community led Wendy to her first NJCART meeting. Through the years, Wendy has gained a perspective on the interwoven layers of the need for product, information, and delivery that encompass the ever changing landscape of the supportive goals surrounding assistive and educational technologies through her connection to NJCART. Now, having served on the NJCART board as Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, Wendy is taking on the role of President.
Carmelys Vincent is a graduate of Rutgers University-Newark of 2013 with a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and public Service. She has the privilege and honor to work with young children as a part of her ministry teaching them how to increase their faith and grow in their love to serve. At the age of 34, Carmelys’ passion lies within the marginalized disability population. Her mission is champion those who are failing to thrive. Her commitment is to inspire hope and those change. Carmelys love is a verb, an action word. Carmelys believes you cannot give love if you do not have love. Carmelys’ working experience includes working at the United Cerebral Palsy of Washington, D.C doing individual and group psychotherapy for those with cerebral palsy. She served at Lake Nelson Adventist Academy as a volunteer school counselor. Here, she worked with children from fifth to eighth grade. Carmelys used this opportunity to encourage the students to be unafraid to seek help. She engaged the students by using her therapeutic skills to meet every stride and strive for excellency especially with children that may be exhibiting behavioral issues or just need that need some quiet time to focus. Every child is destined to do great things because a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Carmelys is currently working on attaining her LCPC from Washington Adventist University. Carmelys also serves as a clinical mental health intern for the Jon Thomas Group a telehealth agency based in Maryland.
Elisa Wern s an Occupational Therapist, with a Master’s degree in Special Education, and RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) with over 20 years of experience in pediatric therapy. She presents at a variety of state and national conferences including regional trainings, CEC, PATINS A2E, ATIA, OTAP/ECHO TIES Project, CATE, and AAC in the Cloud. She receives a salary as the Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Alachua County Schools in Gainesville, Florida, where she coordinates AT services for the district, and serves as the Lead Occupational Therapist. In her spare work time she has a private practice, AT & OT Consulting and Coaching, supporting students and families primarily through teletherapy evaluations, consultations, and interventions. Through this practice she receives payment for therapy and assistive technology services as well as honorariums for some presentations. She also volunteers for AT Makers coordinating the Intellikeys Project. She is the co-author of a chapter with Sarah Gregory, in the recently published, Fundamentals of AAC: A Case-Based Approach to Enhancing Communication, for which they receive no compensation. She shares ideas and resources on Twitter @wernedat.
Joe Zesski is the Program Manager of the Northeast ADA Center and has served as the New Jersey affiliate of the Northeast ADA through Resources for Independent Living since 2009. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University and a Bachelors in English Communications from Cabrini University. Mr. Zesski's focus has been on assistive technology, accessible web design, the educational rights of students with disabilities, and the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community. Joe served for fourteen years as Chair of the Burlington County Disability Issues Committee and currently serves on the New York State’s Hearing Loss Associations Professional Advisory Committee. As an individual who is blind, Joe believes that his personal experience has informed his professional work.