Rhode Island
Council on Assistive Technology (RICAT)
"Promoting
and supporting availability of assistive technology for people
with disabilities"
Member Bios
Charles Pollock Chair, is an AT user who has a background
in engineering and management who is interested in improving physical
accessibility at local and state buildings, parking, etc. Charles
was recently voted in as the new Chair of RICAT.
John Benevides, Vice Chair, works at Citizens Bank as a
VP and Director of Brokerage Business Development. His background
in finance would be invaluable in starting the micro-loan program
for assistive technology equipment.
Florence Adeni-Awosika is an assistive technology user who
is a teacher in the Providence School System.
Jill Blaney is an assistive technology user who is employed
by the University of Rhode Island Recreational Services department.
Gary
Brandyberry is a consumer of AT who is very enthusiastic
about assistive technology. He also volunteers with a local mentor
program in Rhode Island and helps out with the RI Disability Vote
Project.
Kerri Cicione is a special education teacher and has worked
with High School and Middle School students. She is familiar with
assistive technology use in the classroom ranging from pencil grips
and computers.
Carol
Folan-Dusablon has been involved with assistive technology
as her brother has a disability, and she is also the guardian of
another relative that has a disability.
Kathleen Fresher-Samways is the Program Director for the
Institute for Quality of Life (IQOL), an independent consultancy
that provides advocacy, research and education services by, for
and about persons with disabilities. Ms. Samways holds a BS in Physical
Therapy from Boston University and a MA in Adult Education from
the University of Rhode Island. She is a candidate for a Doctorate
in Physical Therapy at Simmons College, Boston, MA.
Susan
Gnirke was a parent of a 10 year old with multiple challenges.
She had been an advocate for her child on many levels prior to her
passing, and has had great exposure to assistive technology.
Margaret Hoye is an AT user who is visually impaired.
Thomas
Karweh is a residential assistant at the J. Arthur Trudeau
Center and an independent counselor at Ocean State Community Resource
Inc.
James
Litvack is an assistive technology user and represents
the independent living community on RICAT.
Phyllis
Lynch is an Education Specialist who represents the Rhode
Island Department of Education, Office of Special Populations on
RICAT.
Michael
Matracia has multiple sclerosis and is a consumer of AT.
Michael continues to work with the Providence Police Department
where he advocates for people with disabilities through the department.
Joseph Murphy is a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
at the Office of Rehabilitation Services. He helps teenagers transition
from High School to a work setting.
Teresa
O’Brien is a vocational evaluator through Northern
Rhode Island Collaborative, and is very familiar with assistive
technology that would be positive for people with disabilities.
Jeanne Panarace, retired from the Department of HEALTH where
she managed the Department's Disability and Health Program (DHP)
which worked intensively to promote assistive technology for persons
with communication impairments, in order to promote health and wellness
and prevent secondary conditions. Jeanne herself is severely hard-of-hearing,
and uses communication assistive technology on a regular basis.
She also chairs The Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan (ATEL) Program
Advisory Committee.
Robert Perrello is a retired U.S. Navy veteran of WW11,
Korea, Lebanon and various sundry skirmishes. He is a retired educator;
former Administrator of Woonsocket Catholic Regional Schools; Director,
Retired Activities Office, Naval Station Newport; and State Coordinator
of AARP 55 Alive Senior Driving Program.
Daniel
Pieroni is a consumer of AT that has a mild case of cerebral
palsy. He is a motivator and likes to help and meet people and to
be an advocate for people with disabilities.
Colleen
Polselli represents
the Department of HEALTH on RICAT.
William Robinson is retired and has chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease as well as arthritis. Bill uses assistive technology
and adaptations as needed to improve his independence, and would
like to advocate for others to improve their participation in the
community.
Ying Sun is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
at the University of Rhode Island. He is the director of the Biomedical
Engineering Program and the director of the Assistive Technology
Lab. His research interests include medical imaging, instrumentation,
neuroengineering, and the development of new assistive technologies
to aid persons with disabilities.
Kim Wennermark currently works as a vocational rehabilitation
counselor for Veterans Affairs. He is familiar with state agency
roles through work, but also has a consumer perspective.
Kathleen
Grygiel, was promoted from an ORS Supervisor to the position
of Assistant Administrator/ATAP Program Director.
Stephen
Brunero, ORS Acting Administrator
