This course was created and modified in collaboration between the University of Iowa Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program and the University of Iowa Technology Services.

Instructor: Patricia Bahr, MSE

Campus Address: University of Iowa, S277C Center for Disabilities and Development, Iowa City, IA 52242

Email: patricia-bahr@uiowa.edu

Patricia (Patti) Bahr has worked in Iowa and Minnesota as a rehabilitation engineer, supervisor, director, and instructor since 1989. Her degrees in biomedical and biomechanical engineering are from the University of Iowa. As a rehabilitation engineer, she matched various assistive technology to the needs of people of all ages with disabilities. As Supervisor of Outreach Services, she supervised teams of seating specialists, orthotists, nurses, physicians, administrative staff, and others to travel to rural communities, serving underserved people with disabilities.

In 2014, after 24 years at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul Minnesota, Patti returned to Iowa as Director of the Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research (ICATER). In 2019 ICATER closed, and she now works as a Program Manager at Iowa's Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

At ICATER and UCEDD Patti developed courses to teach preservice and in-service professionals about technology that can help people with disabilities to be more functional. She believes that people with disabilities can work, learn, live, play, and thrive in the community. It is our duty and ethical obligation to make sure that we eliminate as many barriers to success as possible.

Instructor: Brianna Lewin, Rural Rehabilitation & AT Center Onsite Coordinator

Address: Easterseals Iowa, 401 N.E. 66th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313

Email: blewin@eastersealsia.org

Brianna Lewin is the Rural Solutions and Assistive Technology Center Onsite Coordinator at Easterseals Iowa.

The Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program is a statewide program available to any individual residing in Iowa and provides information and referral, a Lending Library of over 1,000 assistive devices, a durable medical equipment loan program, accessibility services and a demonstration center located at Easterseals Iowa Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines. The Rural Solutions program offers agricultural work site and home modification consultations, peer support, services for the family, information and referrals, and medical equipment loan services.

Brianna has worked with the Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program since 2018 and takes the lead with the Assistive Technology Programs's Information and Communication Technology services. She received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at the University of Iowa and has worked in the field for four years, with previous experience in aging and disability services. She is passionate about assistive technology, accessibility and supporting Iowans with disabilities.

The Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program is made possible through funding from the Center for Disabilities and Development at University of Iowa Health Care supported by the State AT Program grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration for Community Living or HHS.

Instructor: T.M. Weissenberger

Email: todd-weissenberger@uiowa.edu

T.M. Weissenberger (he/him/his) is a veteran Information Technology professional with a lifetime of advocacy and over 20 years of experience in digital accessibility. Since 2011, he has served as the IT Accessibility Coordinator at the University of Iowa, where he provides training, consultation, assessment, and policy support for the University’s digital accessibility efforts. Prior to coming to Iowa, T.M. spent 12 years as a Senior Instructor in the Graphic Arts program at the University of New Mexico’s Division of Continuing Education, where he focused on accessible web design and development. During this time, he also served as Unit IT Support Manager at the University of New Mexico’s Center for Development and Disability overseeing IT service and support for 200 clinicians and staff. He lives in Iowa City.