ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
MICHELLE LANGE
Michelle is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 10 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide, editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed., NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of NRRTS Directions magazine. Michelle is a RESNA Fellow and member of the Clinician Task Force. Michelle is a certified ATP, certified SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA.

​

DIANA PETSCHAUER
Diana Petschauer, M.Ed., ATP is a RESNA certified AT Professional and is the CEO of AT for Education and Access4Employment. Diana has over 20 years of experience in Special Education & Disability Services, Pre-K-12th grade, as well as post-secondary education, and she presents nationally and locally. Diana manages her multi-disciplinary team of consultants who provide comprehensive AT evaluations, training & services for students to access education and for adults to access employment, home and the community.


EMMA KURAS
Emma Kuras, B.A., SLA is an Assistive Technology (AT) and AAC Specialist and a Certified Speech-Language Assistant working full time for ATforED & Access4Employment. Previously Emma was employed as the Auxiliary Services Assistant in Student Accessibility Services at Dartmouth College. Prior to Dartmouth, Emma worked in special education in New Hampshire for five years. Emma graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a concentration in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies from the University of New Hampshire. Emma holds a Graduate Certification in AT from UNH (Studied under Dr. Therese Willkomm) after graduating with her Associate’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Granite State College. Emma specializes in AT & AAC services and support for all ages and disabilities across the lifespan


​SCOTT JONES
Scott Jones is a licensed occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience. He has been recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association with a Specialty Certification in Environmental Modifications, and has acquired specialty certifications in accessibility, environmental modifications and assistive technology from numerous additional professional organizations. Scott is also a licensed contractor, which when combined with his background in OT, allows him to understand accessibility and promote universal design from a highly skilled perspective. Scott is the owner of Jones Accessible Homes, LLC and provides consulting (in person and remotely) as well as contracting services. 

​
THERESE WILLKOMM
Dr. Therese Willkomm is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of New Hampshire. She's also the director of the New Hampshire state-wide assistive technology program. She is known nationally and internationally as the MacGyver of AT for her innovative approaches to fabricating thousands of solutions in minutes. She has presented in 49 states and 12 foreign countries and has appeared on Science Friday, CNN and at the White House Summit on Technology and Disability. In 2018, she was the recipient of the RESNA fellow award for her accomplishments in the field of assistive technology. She has authored numerous publications including two books and has invented over 1,800 different AT devices for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Willkomm's presentation has been generously funded in part by the Adirondack Regional Technology Center.


THERESA VAUGHAN
Theresa Vaughan, BA is a research scientist with thirty years of clinical research experience most focused on Brain Computer Interface (BCI) as new communication channel for people with severe motor disabilities. Recently, her laboratory supervised the first-ever large-scale trial of independent home use of a BCI by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To accomplish this, the team developed and tested hardware; modified the BCI2000 software; developed a range of Windows-based applications; produced training tools for therapists, caregivers, and users; and designed software that ensures data transfer and data fidelity and tracks, complies, and displays daily use for each remote BCI home system.


SUSAN HECKMAN
Sue Heckman, M.S. OT/L, M.S. Ed. earned Master of Science degrees in both Occupational Therapy and Science Education from the Sage Colleges and the University at Albany, State University of New York, respectively. She has coordinated and run clinical trials and epidemiological research studies involving patients with neurodegenerative diseases for the past seventeen years, working for both the New York State Department of Health and Albany Medical Center. Ms. Heckman was part of the team that supervised the first-ever large-scale trial of independent home use of a Brain Computer Interface communication device by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and currently is the research coordinator for a study.
COST & REGISTRATION
Registration is now open!
​Early registration rates have been extended to November 1!
$150 - 1 day only
$250 - 2 days
Student rates (must be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate program; ​does not apply to Clarkson Health Science students):
$30 - Day 1 only
​$50 - Day 2 only
$60 - 2 days
​Late registration rates (after November 1):
$165 - 1 day
​$300 - 2 days
​
**NOTE: Registration for Willkomm's Make & Take session will CLOSE on October 31.
Presenters and exhibitors:
Conference fee waived for presenters and exhibitor representatives* (Up to 2 per booth; exhibitors planning on participating in Saturday's Make & Take session will be required to submit $50 to cover materials.)
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND CAREGIVERS!!
Thanks to a generous gift from the John Ben Snow Foundation, scholarships are once again available for individuals with disabilities, family members or caregivers. Qualifying individuals may register for the full conference in exchange for a $50 contribution for future scholarships, and up to $200 in associated costs (mileage, hotel, etc.) can be reimbursed.
PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUIRED!
Continuing Education Certificates
Participants are eligible to earn up to 12 contact hours (1.2 CEUs) for participating in both days.
  • 6 contact hours (0.6 CEU) are offered on Friday, November 15 (3 contact hours will be awarded for each 1/2-day session attended). Verification of attendance and completion of course evaluation (including self-assessment of learning) will be required for each session attended prior to administration of CEUs.
  • 6 contact hours (0.6 CEU) will be awarded for a full day on Saturday, November 16.  Verification of attendance and completion of course evaluation (including self-assessment of learning) will be required for make & take session prior to administration of CEUs.
  • No CEUs issued for Friday evening event.

Clarkson University's Occupational Therapy Program is an approved provider of AOTA continuing education, and the Clarkson University Physical Therapy Program is an approved provider of NYPTA continuing education.  ​The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

* Speech and Language Pathologists:  Please refer to your state's continuing competency requirements to determine if this conference meets your CEU requirements.  http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/slpa/speechcefaq.htm

Traveling from afar? Reserve a room at one of our partner hotels for reduced rates.
Looking for places to eat while you're here? Catching up with old friends?
Photos used under Creative Commons from Ryan Dickey, Maria Eklind