SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:*
9:00AM- 9:15AM: Welcome Address
9:15AM - 10:15AM: Be Creative: Innovative Application of Mainstream Technologies with Laurie Dale (Part 1)
10:15AM - 10:30AM: Break
10:30AM - 11:30AM: Be Creative: Innovative Application of Mainstream Technologies with Laurie Dale (Part 2)
11:30AM - 11:45AM: Break
11:45AM - 12:45PM: Creating a Technology-First Organization with Greg Wellems
12:45PM - 1:00PM: Prize Announcements
*This schedule is subject to adjustments and should only be used as a general guide in planning your participation in the event.
SESSION AND SPEAKER INFORMATION:
Session Title: Be Creative: Innovative Application of Mainstream Technologies
Session Description: Technology is a tool that we all use to navigate our schedules, utilize our homes, and access information. Using technology has become a way of life - a vehicle to provide greater independence and increase choice. In this session, attendees will learn how to creatively utilize existing, mainstream technologies to support individualized needs. This is an interactive presentation so participants are encouraged to bring real life examples of current needs for discussion and real-time problem solving!
Speaker Bio: Laurie Dale is the owner of Personal Technology Solutions. She has pioneered the use of assistive technology to improve the everyday lives of the people with disabilities and is responsible for integrating new innovations that revolutionize the way companies support people with disabilities. Her goal: let folks do it for themselves. Laurie works to create new bridges between technology and individuals with disabilities, identifying and determining what will best allow them to increase their independence. This includes the creation of the TIP (Technology Innovations for People) Squad. The TIP Squad, made up of individuals with cognitive disabilities, offers unique peer to peer mentoring and training in the technology field. Laurie has worked in the field of technology for 25 years and has been serving people with varying disabilities for over 30 years. Laurie has seen first-hand how technology can change a person’s life – by putting it back in their own hands.
Session Title: Creating a Technology-First Organization
Session Description: Technological solutions are critical in virtually every industry. When we look at the challenges facing providers, there is an increasing understanding that technology is and will be a fundamental component of current and future services and supports.
This session will highlight the importance of incorporating technology into an organization’s strategic plan by including it in person-centered planning. It will highlight how Keystone Human Services is approaching this process by adopting an organizational approach to implementing its technology-first initiative. The session will also provide information on how a strategic technology goal must also be supported by Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Fundamental to being a technology-first company is the DSPs’ supporting role in ensuring that any enabling technology is developed for the individuals accepting services. DSPs are critical in this role. The session will present ways to develop an organizational “culture of curiosity” to assist in adopting and growing enabling technologies.
Finally, the speaker will also share the lessons learned in moving from a company that was an early adopter of assistive technologies to a large multi-state organization looking to provide technology-first services and supports.
Speaker Bio: Greg Wellems serves as the Executive Director of Intellectual Disability Services for Keystone Human Services’ Pennsylvania and Delaware regions. His career began 30 years ago as a direct support professional. Before joining Keystone, Greg worked as the Chief Operating Officer for Imagine!, a Colorado-based service provider. He is a strong advocate for incorporating technology into human services and led the development of smarthome models for supporting individuals with cognitive disabilities. Greg has been on the Board of Directors for ANCOR, the Life Enrichment Trust, and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) technology task force and residential strategic think group.