The Leader of the Pack

I've been requested to speak more to who I am and what my role is in this project.  I have been an occupational therapist for 10 years serving both children and adults with developmental disabilities.  O.T. is always at the core of my work... thinking through how I can present that just-right challenge of intervention that facilitates outcomes that are functional and meaningful in an individual's daily life. My story runs deep as an O.T. from serving kids in Park Hill School District, to running social programs for the Mission Project, to working as a live-in independent living consultant, to training careproviders of kids with disabilities in orphanages in East Africa. At the heart of my work is always a desire to stay relevant, innovative, and to make an impact wherever I go.  In the last 5 years, one area I have chosen to specialize in is Assistive Technology. I helped start the assistive technology team in my school district and ever since then I have served as an assistive technology specialist, secondary to my primary role as an O.T.,  and I have sought out conferences and trainings in A.T.  I took an intensive professional development course on Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology as well.  I have been especially engaged in the iPad revolution and I have seen firsthand the impact of this affordable, mobile touch screen device especially in regards to educational practices, functional communication, daily life routines, and writing adaptations.  I love The Mission Project, I am a technology geek, I want to make a difference, and I know what it takes to design and launch a program of this magnitude and significance... so that's why I'm dedicated to this project and especially committed to documenting it on this blog.  Thank you for following along. I hope you learn something from my posts and I really hope to receive feedback from you all.  - Sarah Mai