The Members of the National Task Force on Technology and Disability want to recognize the many people who graciously contributed their expertise, time and resources to further the work of the Task Force. Their commitment to this effort demonstrates their strong support for fully engaging the talents and participation of all Americans through technological innovation to strengthen our workforce and our society as a whole.

Funding:

The C.S. Mott Foundation.

A grant from The C.S. Mott Foundation was critical to convening the Task Force and supporting its mission to identify opportunities and make recommendations for improving access to assistive technology (AT) for people with disabilities. The Mott Foundation, established in 1926 in Flint, Michigan, by an automotive pioneer, is a private philanthropy committed to supporting projects that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. The grant also covered the cost of AT needed to fully engage all Task Force members and other contributors in meetings, teleconferences and Internet-based communications, as well as printing and posting the findings on the NTFTD Web site. While the work of the Task Force would not have been possible without The Mott Foundation, the deliberative process and the resulting findings and recommendations are solely that of the Task Force and independent of The Mott Foundation.

NEC Foundation of America.

A grant from the NEC Foundation of America is supporting efforts to encourage national recognition for innovation of AT for people with disabilities. In that spirit, funding will support a follow-up round table discussion with AT innovators, business leaders, advocates and government to explore advancing innovation, accessibility and successful commercialization of AT in the marketplace. Invitations to participate in the round table, interaction with government agencies, and discussion outcomes are independent of the NEC Foundation of America.

Individuals

A special thank you to the following individuals who graciously contributed their time and input as the Task Force prepared its findings and recommendations:

• Former Congressman James Barcia, Michigan State Senator.
   
• Leslee Beck, Congressman Dale Kildee’s staff.
   
• Betty Jo Berland, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
   
• Chris Button, President’s Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities, U.S. Dept. of Labor.
   
• Carol Cohen, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
   
• Sylvia Clark, Executive Director NEC Foundation of America.
   
• Jodi De Witte, Congressman Vern Ehlers’ staff.
   
• Lex Freiden, Chair, National Council on Disability.
   
• Roy Grizzard, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Dept. of Labor.
   
• Senator Tom Harkin.
   
• Phil Hatlen, Superintendent, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
   
• Joanna Herman, Congressman Dave Camp’s staff.
   
• Jason Hill, Senator Levin’s staff Congressman Pete Hoekstra and staff.
   
• Charles Hokanson, Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce staff.
   
• Andrew Kaiser, Congressman Mike Roger’s staff.
   
• Congressman Dale Kildee.
   
• Brenda Oas, Senator Tom Harkin’s staff.
   
• Whitney Rhoades, Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce staff.
   
• Dok Satcher, Senator Debbie Stabenow’s staff.
   
• Jennifer Sheehy, formerly with the White House Domestic Policy Council.
   
• Steve Tingus, Director, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
   
• George Trone, Grant Administrator C.S. Mott Foundation.
   
• John Von Fossen, Chief of Staff for Congressman Pete Hoekstra.
   
• William S. White, President C.S. Mott Foundation