TechSummit 2021

KEYNOTE PRESENTER:

Valerie Huhn
Deputy Director, MO Department of Mental Health

BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTERS:

Stacy Collins
Team Lead, Community Life Engagement, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

William Darling, PhD
Director, Assistive Technology of Ohio

Dan Davies
Founder & President, AbleLink Smart Living Technologies

James Finley
Executive Director, THS Remote Support

Cristen Reat
Co-founder & Program Director, BridgingApps

Shea Tanis, PhD
Director for Policy and Advocacy, Coleman Institute of Cognitive Disabilities at the University of Colorado

More presenter announcements coming soon…

SESSIONS

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 

Aftermath of a pandemic: How technology made all the difference

Valery Huhn

2020 will forever be remembered as the year of COVID-19.  Every person in the nation felt the impact … every business, every employer, every person who relies on another person for support.  The impact on caregivers and direct support professionals was unprecedented.  Service providers and the people they support struggled to find new methods of service delivery during intense periods of staff shortages and quarantines that resulted in feelings of isolation and loneliness.  Many explored technology solutions and innovation such as virtual service delivery, telehealth, smart devices and remote supports.  During this session a panel of Missourians will share their journeys from struggles to solutions and the ongoing impact.  The Division of Developmental Disabilities will supplement their stories by outlining the approach from a Technology First state and the progress they have made.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Case studies in assistive technology

Bill Darling, PhD

Assistive Technology of Ohio is a free resource that helps individuals discover ways that technology may help them to thrive in any life situation. Learn about AT Ohio services and some case examples of ways that technology has helped people thrive during this session.

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THS Remote Support Services: Remote Support Case Examples from Ohio

James Finley

As of March 1, 2021 there were 899 people actively receiving some type of Remote Supports in Ohio and approximately 360 of those individuals are served by THS Remote Support Services. We are proud to be help Ohio lead the way by fostering independence and person centered outcomes with the technology based supports that are now available to more individuals than ever.  Come and learn what Remote Supports look like, from start to finish, including from someone using the service themselves.

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Enhancing Independent Transportation for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities and Others with Special Needs with the WayFinder Ecosystem

Dan Davies

This session will detail several projects in Ohio and neighboring states where the WayFinder Ecosystem has been used to enable independent transportation and greater community access for individuals with cognitive disabilities and others with special needs.  An overview of the accessible transportation technologies will be presented along with success stories from several recently completed pilot projects.  Finally, the session will also preview an ongoing project funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation focused on automated vehicles as part of the Inclusion Design Challenge.

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BridgingApps: Helpful Apps for Enhancing Independence

Cristen Reat

This session will focus on how mobile technology can enhance everyday life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  A variety of apps will be demonstrated, including options for staying organized, understanding money, daily living (including leisure and fun), and more. The apps highlighted will range from free to paid versions with subscription fees and will address a range of needs.  Information will be briefly shared on the use of our app search tool to help participants explore more apps for their unique situation and needs.

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Progress and advances to come: A look at technology use nationally and in Ohio

Shea Tanis, PhD; Stacy Collins

This first half of this session will showcase the progress of Technology First Systems change efforts across the nation and national data demonstrating the increased need for access to technology solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second half of this session will demonstrate the progress and future of Ohio Technology First.

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Schedule

July 22, 2021

July 23, 2021

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TechSummit Archive

For previous year’s session descriptions, presenter bios, and presentation slides, follow the links below.

2018 TechSummit: Nisonger.osu.edu/2018TechSummit

TechSummit 2.0: Nisonger.osu.edu/TechSummit-2