DSPs Using and Supporting Technology Use

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 a man with dark skin, sitting in front of a microphone. He is wearing a black polo shirt, braclet beads, dark glasses, dark beard, and long braided hair.

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: Larry Williams, Anthony Grindstaff and Susan Arwood, on Enabling Technology

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.

Susan is smiling at the camera with her right shoulder slightly in front of her left shoulder. She has short dark brown hair, blue or green eyes and is wearing wire rim gray glasses and a black and white checked button-down shirt.

Susan Arwood

Two men sit side by side. The man on the left is sitting on a couch in the other man’s house. He is wearing a maroon polo shirt, black pants, a watch, and has short dark hair and a beard and mustache. The man on the right is sitting in a orange and black motorized wheelchair. He has short brownish red hair and beard that is graying. He is wearing black shorts and a white and orange Tennessee Volunteers t-shirt. He is using his left index finger to access the Ipad that is mounted on the right side of the wheelchair.

Larry Willams uses his Ipad to talk with DSP Anthony Grindstone.

Episode 10: Tammy Murner at Black Hills Works

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 Black Hills Works 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

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