Tech Access Initiative - United Spinal Association
The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000825/https://unitedspinal.org/tech-access-initiative/

The benefits of technology impact all individuals with disabilities by breaking down barriers to independence and greater quality of life in unprecedented ways.

United Spinal’s Tech Access Initiative brings together our membership and community partners to ensure accessible technology is inclusive to everyone, including wheelchair users.

Through active discussion, participation, and training; the Tech Access Initiative and its team of consumer advocates will provide critical perspectives and insight to enhance cutting-edge technology so that is accessible to all.

Our Objectives

  • To advocate for policies that increase access to inclusive and assistive technology that directly impact wheelchair users and all individuals living with mobility disabilities nationwide.
  • To empower greater numbers of people with mobility disabilities to take advantage of the growing opportunities technology offers for independence, access and health.
  • To position our Tech Access Initiative members as thought leaders and subject matter experts on current technology who can help drive industry advancement.
  • To foster an exchange between United Spinal and technology companies to ensure corporate culture and products and services embrace wheelchair users and all people with mobility disabilities.

Tech Access Videos

How Are Wheelchair Users Staying Healthy During COVID Quarantine?

Karen Roy, member of United Spinal’s Tech Access Initiative shares some of the technology that keeps her thriving at home while quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smart Home Technology Helps Wheelchair Users Stay Independent

Ian MacKay, a wheelchair user and member of United Spinal from Washington State demonstrates how technology allows him to stay productive during these times of social distancing.

Adaptive VR Gaming to Shake Off Those Wheelchair Quarantine Blues

Paul Amadeus Lane talks about how VR technology allows him to stay active and have fun while sheltering in place.

Our Supporters - Tech Access Council (TAC)

Founded in 2020, the Tech Access Council (TAC) was established to support the Tech Access Initiative program and engage in high level discussions with the Tech Access Group (TAG) to guide its direction and increase tech industry engagement to foster accessible innovation

Our Team - Tech Access Group (TAG)

Our Tech Access Group (TAG) is a user group comprised of tech-savvy wheelchair using members contributing their diverse perspectives and key insights as partners in accessible technology design.

Brook McCall

Director, Tech Access Initiative, C-4 Complete Quadriplegic, Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection Chapter Member and Chapter Advocacy Representative, TAG Facilitator

Wes Bowden

C-2 Incomplete Quadriplegic, United Spinal of Tennessee Chapter Leader, Roll on Capitol Hill Advocate, 19-Year IT professional, MBA in Technology Management, Six Sigma, Manages IT for TN Medicaid System

Matt Castelluccio

Paraplegic, Hudson Valley Chapter of United Spinal member, Roll on Capitol Hill Advocate, 14 year employee of and current Associate Marketing Director for Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital

Andrea Dalzell

Registered Nurse, Paraplegic, United Spinal New York City Chapter Leader, Award Winning Advocate and Roll on Capitol Hill Participant, Apple Influencer and Longtime Product Educator for Best Buy

Randall Duchesneau

C-5/6 Complete Quadriplegic, Washington D.C., MPH, Real Estate Investment and Transactional Advisory Consultant, former Director of the National Leadership Program at RespectAbility, Disability Employment Policy and Assistive Tech SME, Founding member of the United Spinal Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter

Stefan Henry

Quadriplegic, New York City, Mechanical Engineer for Metropolitan Transit Authority, CEO of Level the Curve Inc. Assistive Device Design and Production, United Spinal of New York City Chapter Member and Roll on Capitol Hill Advocate

Kent Keyser

Public Policy Fellow

Paul Amadeus Lane

Quadriplegic, Inland, CA, Journalist and Broadcaster Working in the Media with a Focus on Tech and Entertainment with Accessibility Awareness Flare, Ability Expo Ambassador, Sony PS4 Accessibility Consultant

Ian Mackay

C-2 Complete Quadriplegic, Here and Now Project- Washington State Chapter Member, Roll on Capitol Hill Advocate, Apple Consultant and Voice Control Commercial Superstar, Invacare Wheelchairs Ambassador

Dave Pierson

C-6/7 Complete Quadriplegic, Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection Chapter Advocacy Representative, Former Software Engineer for IBM, Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon SCI Adaptive Technology Consultant

Angie Plager

C-5/6 Quadriplegic, United Spinal of Iowa Chapter Leader, Roll on Capitol Hill Advocate, Self Employed Business Owner, and Adaptive Technology User for Personal and Employment Needs

Karen Roy

T-10 Paraplegic, Chapter Advocacy Representative for the Louisiana Chapter of United Spinal, Roll on Capitol Hill Advocate, Miss Wheelchair America 2018, 20 Year Social Work Case Manager, Current Brand Ambassador for NuMotion

Tyler Schrenk

C-1 Incomplete Quadriplegic, Here and Now Project- Washington State Chapter Member, Tyler Schrenk Foundation Nonprofit Founder Facilitating Access and Training for Assistive Technology, Microsoft Accessibility Contributor

Nick Struthers

Spinal Shock with Function Recovery, United Spinal of Silicon Valley Chapter Leader, Adaptive Tech Partner with Apple and Google

Jenn Wolff

Paraplegic, United Spinal Chapter of Iowa Board Member and Chapter Advocacy Representative, 2017 United Spinal Advocate of the Year, Occupational Therapist, Backbones Leadership Program Manager

Rob Wudlick

C-4/5 Quadriplegic, United Spinal of Minnesota Chapter Leader and United Spinal Regional Advocacy Coordinator, 2019 United Spinal Advocate of the Year, Get Up Stand Up Nonprofit Founder, University of Minnesota Researcher, Involved with Exoskeleton Startup and Assistive Device Development

Tech Access News

Helping Design a Life-Changing Product

I’m an engineer and a spinal cord injury advocate — more specifically, I’m an engineer who lives with a C4 spinal cord injury. From the moment of my injury, my goal has been the same — to get my body back.

Join Our Team

United Spinal’s Tech Access Initiative seeks to get individuals with mobility disabilities involved as testers and authorities on their needs. We are looking for diverse individuals with personal and technology industry insights.

Volunteer Participation Inquiry

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