Recap: Assistive Technology
An Overview of the November 2025 Understanding Ableism Webinar: “The Importance of Assistive Technology”
By Sara Marshall, AmeriCorps KCDC Coordinator
(Watch the webinar here on our YouTube channel.)
(Access the Assistive Technology PowerPoint slides provided by DSHS.)
Our November 19 webinar explored the transformative role of assistive technology in supporting independence, communication, and participation in work, school, and daily life. Panelists shared both personal experiences and professional expertise, highlighting how technology, from Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and cochlear implants to adaptive diabetes systems and orthotics, can empower people with disabilities, while also emphasizing the barriers of cost, training and accessibility that remain all too common.
Background on Panelists
Jae Kim serves as the Information and Referral Program Manager at Arc of King County. Kim shared how her AAC device allows her not only to type and speak but also to connect to the internet, manage emails, use messaging apps and access online resources. For Kim, the device opens pathways to professional and personal engagement, enabling her to communicate clearly at work, contribute ideas in meetings and maintain connections with friends and family.
Dorene Cornwell is a member of the Washington Council of the Blind. A former computer programmer and data analyst, Cornwell now dedicates her work to transportation advocacy. She described how assistive technology helps her extract essential information from complex systems. As a person who is blind, Cornwell emphasized that these tools allow her to ask the right questions and navigate daily life with autonomy.
Katie Lechner works as the Senior Territory Business Manager at Beta Bionics. Lechner spoke about the evolution of adaptive diabetes technology, reflecting on over a decade in the field. She highlighted how modern devices are designed to reduce the workload on users, allowing the technology itself to manage more of the daily routines required for diabetes care.
Evelyn Burnett is an Assistive Technology Assessment Practitioner in Region 2 with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Burnett, a person who is Deaf and uses cochlear implants, described how she relies on tools like live captions, visual alerting devices, vibration alerts and captioned phone calls to navigate daily life. In her professional role, she trains, educates and advocates for assistive technology, supporting people with disabilities to implement tools in workplaces and communities with confidence.
Shelby Shelman is an Assistive Technology & Assessment Practitioner in Region 3 with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Shelman worked in orthotics and prosthetics before her transition to assistive technology education and advocacy. She works closely with people with disabilities to identify individualized solutions that remove barriers to work and daily life.
Key Takeaways
Panelists emphasized that assistive technology cannot be applied as one-size-fits-all. Every person’s needs, environments and goals differ, meaning that effective solutions often require a process of experimentation, with a lot of trial and error. Another major insight was the role of training and support. Without education and confidence-building, even advanced technologies can fail to enhance independence. Paired with thoughtful assessment and customization, training and guidance can be just as important as the tools themselves.
Systemic barriers still persist in the assistive technology landscape, particularly with high costs, insurance limitations and rapid technological evolution. Devices are often expensive, and health insurance coverage may be inconsistent or insufficient to cover the cost. At the same time, technology evolves quickly, but compatibility with older systems is not always maintained, leaving users in a continual state of adaptation. Panelists highlighted how this can reinforce structural disadvantages for people with disabilities.
Beyond functionality, assistive technology supports independence and enables people with disabilities to engage fully in professional, educational and social settings. The discussion revealed that assistive technology is far more than a set of tools. It can be a lens through which we can examine the interplay of autonomy, equity and access.
When people with disabilities have access to the right devices, assistive technology becomes a bridge, not just for accomplishing tasks, but for maintaining confidence, dignity and full engagement within their communities.