Summit Participants

Steve Bauer, Ph.D.
Project Officer, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
Dr. Steve Bauer is a Project Officer at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) with a focus on assistive and universally designed technologies. His research includes: 1) the Assistive Technology Device Classification (ATDC) and its application to technology (medical, assistive, universal) classification, technology (assistive, universal, ICT-based) design, and public policy; and 2) the Assistive Technology Service Method (ATSM) and its application to cross-disability, inter-disciplinary, trans-contextual service provision that is both ethical and evidence based. Steve's core interest also spans public policy, technology transfer, knowledge translation and transaction spaces, diffusion of innovation, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), and other important standards (e.g. ISO9999, ISO26000).    

Mike Jones, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Wireless RERC
Vice President for Research and Technology, Shepherd Center
Dr. Mike Jones is Vice President for Research and Technology and founding Director of the Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute at Shepherd Center. Prior to coming to Shepherd Center in 1996, Dr. Jones was executive director of the Center for Universal Design at NC State University, a NIDRR-funded RERC. While at the Center for Universal Design, Dr. Jones and Jim Mueller coordinated the team of investigators that created the Principles of Universal Design. Dr. Jones also served as associate director of the Research and Training Center on Independent Living, from 1982-1988.

Helena Mitchell, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator and Co-Director, Wireless RERC
Executive Director, Center for Advanced communications Policy
Dr. Helena Mitchell is a Regents’ Researcher, which represents the highest academic status bestowed by the Board of Regents, which governs the University System of Georgia. In tandem she is the Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Wireless RERC and PI for several emergency communications projects funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  As CACP’s executive director she focuses on program building, development of multi-unit interdisciplinary teams and cutting-edge policy/research initiative. Her areas of specialty include broadband and wireless communications, educational technologies, regulatory and legislative policy, emergency/public safety communications, and universal service to vulnerable, rural and inner city populations.

Salimah LaForce
Project Director, Wireless RERC
Research Analyst, Center for Advanced Communications Policy
Salimah LaForce is a Research Analyst for the Georgia Tech Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP). She conducts policy and industry research and analysis for CACP’s emergency communications initiative.  Additionally, Salimah is the project director for the Wireless RERC’s research project, Policy Approaches to Promote Access to Wireless Technologies.  A chief responsibility of Salimah’s is information and data collection, analysis and dissemination of resultant findings and reports. She is instrumental in the tracking and drafting of comments filed on pertinent Federal Communications Commission rulemakings; editor of the monthly policy newsletter, Technology and Disability Policy Highlights, and has co-authored more than 50 conference papers, journal articles, and regulatory filings.

Wendy Shultz, Ph.D.
Director, Infinite Futures
Dr. Wendy Schultz is an academically trained futurist with over thirty years of global foresight practice. Her MA and PhD research in the Alternative Futures program at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa focused on leadership, vision, and creativity. She has designed and facilitated futures research projects for NGOs, government agencies, and businesses. Dr. Schultz’s conference keynotes, workshops, and publications include topics as varied as emerging change and evolving patterns of risk in the rail industry; innovations and the future of art; future competitiveness for urban regions; the future of transport; the future of learning and higher education; and the role of women in designing our emerging technological futures, among others. Her award-winning articles on futures methods and applications have been published in Futures, Foresight, and the Journal of Futures Studies. She is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists; Professional Member of the World Future Society; a Senior Fellow at the Center for Post-normal Policy and Futures Studies; a Fellow of the World Futures Studies Federation and its VP of Operations; and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce.

David Dougall
Director, Accessibility & Sustainability, BlackBerry Limited
Dave Dougall has worked on accessibility programs for the past eight years at BlackBerry, a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of innovative wireless data solutions. As Director of Accessibility and Sustainability, Dave is responsible for promoting awareness and expertise of accessibility and sustainability requirements and opportunities among BlackBerry’s designers, developers, and managers.

David Dzumba
Manager, Microsoft
David Dzumba joined Microsoft after 15 years with Nokia in Texas. While there, he established Nokia’s Accessibility program, including early innovations of text-to-speech on devices for customers who were blind, and an inductive loop for t-coil-equipped hearing aid users. He has served as the co-chair of the FCC’s Emergency Access Advisory Committee and as panelist for organizations including the European Year of Disabilities, NCLUDE/STAKES, Cost219bis, Tiresias, TAG, and U.S. Department Homeland Security. Dzumba has a Master of Science, summa cum laude, in Engineering Telecommunications from Southern Methodist University. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Wireless RERC at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Kendra Green
Manager, Regulatory Compliance at Samsung Telecommunications America
Kendra Green is Regulatory Compliance Manager for Samsung Electronics America.  She is responsible for driving accessibility and regulatory issues for a range of mobile devices.  Since 2000, Kendra and her team have developed solutions that specifically address accessibility challenges.  As Samsung’s Designated Agent for Accessibility, she has personally helped customers with disabilities learn more about Samsung mobile device features that directly support and help overcome accessibility challenges.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University; Master’s in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management; and legal studies at Concord Law School.

Jamie Hastings
Vice President, External and State Affairs, CTIA - The Wireless Association
Jamie Hastings joined CTIA in 2011 and is responsible for advocating on policy issues for the U.S. wireless industry before all levels of state government, including public service commissions, state legislatures, governors and state attorney generals. She also engages numerous third-party organizations on a variety of topics and analyzes state legislation and regulatory proposals to ensure market-driven policies continue to reflect the ever-changing and innovative wireless industry.

Lee Mabie
Director, Emerging Consumer Markets, AT&T Mobility
Lee Mabie is AT&T's Director of Emerging Consumer Markets.  In his role Lee advocates for the disability, aging and informal caregiver consumer segments; a population of 131 million Americans via the award-winning AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging (AAPAA). Lee lives in the metro-Atlanta area, has been married to Liz Mabie for 14 years. He  is a father of four children, volunteers at Watermarke Church, has coached youth basketball and is a former Cub Scout Den Leader with The Boy Scouts of America.  Lee enjoys competitive running in 5K and 10K events and studies martial arts through the American Taekwondo Association.

Vincent Martin
Ph.D. Student in Human Centered Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing
Vincent Martin is the first totally blind graduate student in the history of Georgia Tech. His initial education consists of three undergraduate degrees: Textile Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology, and Psychology with an emphasis In Engineering Psychology. He holds a Master’s of Science in Human Computer Interaction and is currently in the PhD program in Human Centered Computing.  Based in Dr. Bruce Walker's sonification lab in the School of Psychology, his research interests include haptic and auditory access to computer software and hardware, mobile interfaces, and wayfinding devices for the blind.

Jim Mueller
Universal Design Specialist
Jim Mueller is an Industrial Designer with more than 20 years of experience in assistive technology, disability management, and universal design. He is recognized as one of the most experienced practitioners and advocates of universal design (i.e. design for people of all ages and abilities) and is one of the authors of the 7 Principles of Universal Design. His clients have included federal and state agencies, private employers, disability insurers, and product manufacturers.

Richard Ray
ADA Technology Access Coordinator, City of Los Angeles, Department on Disability
Richard Ray is an ADA Technology Access Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability.  Mr. Ray oversees compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding communication access to City and County of Los Angeles as well as state and local governments.  Mr. Ray is a co-Chair of the National Emergency Number Association Accessibility Committee.  Mr. Ray was appointed to serve on the Federal Communications Commission Optimal PSAP Architect Task Force and Disability Advisory Committee. Mr. Ray is involved in several projects including Emergency Notification Systems, Text Messaging to 9-1-1 and Next Generation 9-1-1.

Leanne West
Chief Engineer for Pediatric Technologies, Georgia Institute of Technology
Director of the Landmarc Research Center
Leanne West is the Chief Engineer for Pediatric Technologies for Georgia Tech and the Director of the Landmarc Research Center. As Chief Engineer, she coordinates all research activities across campus that are related to pediatrics. She helps manage the formal relationship with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. As the Director of Landmarc, she coordinates a team of researchers who focus on mobile and wireless system development, database development, and system integration.  She serves on the executive management teams of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, as well as the Institute for People and Technology, with the goal of creating large-scale collaborations across campus in the area of healthcare.