DSPs Using and Supporting Technology Use
A Closer Look at Frontline Initiative
Listen to A Closer Look at Frontline Initiative, a podcast hosted by Chet Tschetter who talks with authors from Frontline Initiative. They share their experiences and best practices for supporting people. Follow A Closer Look wherever you find your favorite podcasts so you don’t miss an episode!
Nick Smith recording A Closer Look
Episode 7: Nick Smith is Seeing the Possibilities
Nick is a master of looking past the barrier and seeing the possibilities. As a seasoned DSP he has developed the skills of really listening to what the people he supports are saying, and working with his team to make dreams and wished come true. Nicholas Smith has been at Direct Support Professional for over 25 years. He has worked the past 17 years at SPIN, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nick also contributed to Frontline Initiative's issue on DSPs using the NADSP Code of Ethics to Support People.
Episode 8: Nick Smith on DSP Advocating for Themselves and Voting
Nicholas Smith has been at Direct Support Professional for over 25 years. He has been speaking up for the wants and needs for the people he supports for years. Nic shares his story of speaking up for himself and all DSPs on a national stage, a special committee of Congress about how the low wages effect the nation-wide shortage of direct support workers.
He has worked the past 17 years at SPIN, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nick contributed to Frontline Initiative's issue on DSPs using the NADSP Code of Ethics to Support People.
Episode 9 - Coming Soon
DSP Anthony Grindstaff, Larry Williams, and Susan Arwood share how enabling technology has changed Larry’s life for the better and how a visit from the Tennessee Governor’s wife, Maria Lee, provided Larry with new enabling technology for his back door. Larry receives support, and Anthony and Susan work for Core Services of Northeast Tennessee.
Larry Willams uses his Ipad to talk with DSP Anthony Grindstone.
Episode 10 - Coming Soom
Tammy Murner talks about how the organization’s culture supports thinking about and imaging how they can use assistive technology to support people to live their best lives. Tammy is the Director of Technology and Innovation at Black Hills Works in Rapid City, SD.
Group of four people inside the AT lab. The first person on the left, Lissa Marotz is standing, has white–gray shoulder-length hair, is wearing glasses, a short-sleeve tan, and brown- striped sweater, with matching brown pants and dark brown shoes. She is holding a thermal water cup with a long circular handle on the lid. The second person on the left is Alaina Griffee. She is standing, has blonde hair that is pulled back, glasses, a rose-colored long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and brown and cream shoes. She is holding an object. The third person is Tammy Murner. She is standing. She has white and gray hair, is wearing a v-neck top with various colors of blue and brown, tan pants, and shoes. She is holding an object. The person on the right is Jadan Arner. He is standing. He has short blond–brown hair. He is wearing glasses, a T-shirt with brown, gold, and black, jeans and white gym shoes. He is holding a thermal water cup with a long circular handle on the lid
The AT Team showing some of their work: From Left to Right: Lissa Marotz, Assistive Technology Technician; Alaina Griffee, Assistive Technology Technician and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant; Tammy Murner, Director of Innovation and Technology; Jaden Arner, School of Mines Student Intern
A Closer Look at Frontline Initiative is available wherever you get your podcasts.