The Assistive Technology (AT) Champions Program is a 6-month long program designed to empower youth and build connections with young disabled activists in the Mid-Atlantic region. Many thanks to our 2024–2025 AT Champion, Sydney, for contributing the following about her experience!
Hi everyone! My name is Sydney Kienzle, and I had the pleasure of participating in the AT Champions program this year, representing the state of Maryland. Throughout my time as an AT Champion, I got to learn about many different aspects relating to assistive technology and disability advocacy. Some of the topics we talked about included (but were not limited to) the Lending Libraries in every state within the AT Champions cohort and around the country, how to fabricate (create) assistive technology devices/gadgets out of things like InstaMorph, PVC pipes, and even simple household items like egg cartons and pool noodles, different events that took place in history relating to disabilities and assistive technology, how to find funds to purchase/rent assistive technology items, and how to teach the general population about these topics using social media, and making those videos more accessible.
Social Media Basics
During the first workshop, titled Social Media Basics, my AT Champions cohort and I learned about how to post videos on social media. Not only posting the videos, but making sure the videos were accessible to all disabilities. I learned how to add captions and video descriptions to my videos to make them easier for others to watch and follow along. I also was able to discuss an assistive technology device that I already owned, which was an electric can opener.
AT Lending Libraries
During the second workshop, titled AT Lending Libraries, my cohort and I learned about a helpful tool that provides assistive technology devices for people to borrow. These libraries, similar to the book library where you pick out books and return them after a period of time, allow people to borrow an assistive technology device, borrow it to see if they like it, then return it at the very nice cost of FREE 99! Each state in the country has their own lending library full of assistive technology gadgets ranging from low-tech to high-tech, and all people with disabilities are able to look around the library to see what device would be the best fit for them. Some states will ship the items to you if you reserve a device on their state-specific website, and other states require you to go in person to their lending library. For this month’s video, I described a grabber tool that would be helpful for people to reach high items off a shelf/cabinet.
AT Fabrication
During the third workshop, titled AT Fabrication, my cohort and I learned about how to create our own assistive devices. We learned that you don’t need super expensive tools to make assistive devices, and something as simple as rubber bands, construction paper, and other household items. We watched videos of people making wheelchairs with PVC pipes, and we watched videos of people making a playing card holder out of pool noodles. I especially enjoyed this month’s project and workshop because I love doing things with my hands and being crafty, so I enjoyed making something that could be helpful to others. For this month’s video, I showed how to create a card holder out of an empty egg carton, where all you need is an egg carton and a knife to cut slits into the egg carton.
Disability History
During the fourth workshop, titled Disability History, my cohort and I learned about important events and people that helped shape the future of disability rights and assistive technology. Some of the events that we learned about were the 504 Sit-Ins and the IDEA, and some of the famous people we learned about that have/had disabilities were Stephen Hawking and Frida Kahlo. We learned that Stephen Hawking was one of the first people to use an AAC (Alternative and Augmented Communication) device, as he had ALS and lost all muscle ability except for his eyes. For this month’s video, I discussed how Louis Braille invented Braille, the language that many blind individuals use.
Funding
During the fifth workshop, titled Funding, my cohort and I learned about many different funding resources that individuals with disabilities could use to purchase assistive technology. We discussed resources like Medicare/Medicaid, as well as state-specific loan programs available to people in those states. I also loved hearing about my fellow AT Champions and their stories about successes and setbacks regarding receiving assistive technology (insurance is OUR BEST FRIEND *sarcasm*). For this month’s video, I talked about the Assistive Technology Loan Program in Maryland. I discussed how to apply for it, and how much money an individual could receive.
Moving Forward
As mentioned before, I have loved being a part of the AT Champions program this year! I learned so much about how others live their lives, and being in the program has allowed me to be more aware of my surroundings and look to see if things are accessible to others with different disabilities. I am graduating college this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and with this degree, I hope to become a paraeducator for a special education classroom. I also sing in my free time and love music. With my experiences and things I have learned this year in the AT Champions program, I would love to find ways for people with disabilities (including myself) to play an instrument by either modifying it or purchasing a modified instrument, as I have always wanted to learn to play an instrument. You can find me on YouTube and TikTok, both under @sydkaykay to learn more about me and the work that I did in the AT Champions program. Thank you to all the employees at TechOWL and MDTAP for this amazing opportunity, and I hope that many of you will consider applying for the 2025–2026 cohort!
