Cerebral palsy, learning disabilities
Works in the technical service department for the Prentke Romich Company as a remote troubleshooter in technical support. Also involved with Blue Sky Designs in Minneapolis working on various communication devices and tablets that can be mounted onto wheelchairs. Spoke about different mounting solutions at The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) in August. Received a DO-IT Trailblazer award in 2007. Assisted in writing the book, Transition Strategies for Adolescents and Young Adults Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication by David McNaughton and David Beukelman. Will be traveling to a conference in Washington DC to meet with representatives from Apple and Microsoft to address some of these topics. Enjoys working out at the gym.
1994 Scholars
Spinal muscular atrophy
Earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Washington and a law degree from Pepperdine School of Law. Passed the Washington State Bar exam and practiced law in Kennewick, Washington. Passed away in April 2008.
Cerebral palsy, low vision
Studied science in college.
Learning disability
Earned an associate’s degree from Pierce Community College. Works as the Seattle-DC supervisor for Pacific Office Automation. Married and has five children.
Undiagnosed severe neuropathy
Founder and director of GimpGirl Community. Is a research associate with Experiential Design and Gaming Environments (EDGE) Lab at Ryerson University. Has worked with government, educational, and community organizations to create policy focusing on women with disabilities, technology, and sexual health. Lives in Washington with partner and partner’s son.
Visual impairment
Earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Oregon State University, and a master of science degree in information technology from Western Governors University. Has worked as a senior IT and information security executive, and as a university professor. Recently co-founded a new cybersecurity firm focused on delivering services to lesser served organizations and industries while providing training and workforce development opportunities to traditionally underrepresented groups in the cybersecurity profession. Received a DO-IT Trailblazer award in 2009. Married and living in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Post-polio
Works for a utility company and enjoys being a wife and mother in Vancouver, Washington.
Chronic lyme disease
Earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pacific Lutheran University and a master’s degree and PA-C (Physician’s Assistant with Certification) from Pacific University. Works in San Diego as a neurology hospitalist PA-C.
Paralysis from brain injury
Participates in various volunteer positions in the community.
Dyslexia
Graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Married with a child.
Muscular dystrophy
Worked at Columbia Industries in Kennewick, Washington. Died in October 2003.
Visual impairment
Earned a degree in psychology from Southern Oregon University.
Health impairment, speech impairment, nervous system dysmorphia, congenital scoliosis
Earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics with a minor in applied mathematics from the University of Washington. Works in Japan at a company that manufactures and sells insecticide and other products.
Health and orthopedic impairments, dwarfism, kidney failure, retinitis pigmentosa
Earned a bachelor of science in computer science from Utah State University. Lives in Seattle and works for Amazon. Is currently a systems development engineer, working on the Kindle Reader, supporting the Word Wise feature that supports language learning.