"Educate individuals and professionals about assistive technology and how it can improve quality of life."
MN-NEAT was developed in 2015 when a group of individuals came together to discuss how they were using assistive technology with the hope of teaching and learning from each other. The goal was to educate themselves and others about assistive technology and connect people with resources to find appropriate solutions.
With the groups focus and dedication, MN-NEAT successfully hosted their 1st "Un-Conference" on October 25th, 2018 at the Pacer Center. With over 50 attendees of varying assistive technology related professions, the Un-Conference blossomed into a wonderful educational, enriching, and enlightening conference for all.Following the goal of promoting Assistive Technology, MN-NEAT went on to host the Technology Experience Center at the 2019 ARRM Conference. Highlighting tech in action, the Technology Experience Center saw over 500 visitors who were able to interact hands on with different assistive technologies staged in a home environment.
We are developing an Assistive Technology focused education curriculum to share with the community. We aim to educate and connect caregivers and individuals with resources, contacts, and solutions to help grow independence through technology. We have some exciting things in the works so.......... stay tuned!
Owner
Chair of the Board
Alaina is the Executive Project Manager for the Innovation Grant with ARRM, which aims to increase the awareness, access to, and usage of Assistive Technology and Remote Support. She is also a Business Consultant with NextGen Assistive Technology, where she helps Residential Service Providers prepare to become ind
Owner
Chair of the Board
Alaina is the Executive Project Manager for the Innovation Grant with ARRM, which aims to increase the awareness, access to, and usage of Assistive Technology and Remote Support. She is also a Business Consultant with NextGen Assistive Technology, where she helps Residential Service Providers prepare to become independent Remote Support Providers.
Alaina loves high adventure activities, traveling, and spending as much time in the outdoors as possible.
Vice Chair of the Board
After 12 years as a special education teacher for high school students with developmental disabilities, and years as a program manger with Living Well Disability Services, Kit Piltingsrud is now a training specialist with Mt Olivet Rolling Acres. Kit has a Master’s of Science degree from St. Cloud State Universit
Vice Chair of the Board
After 12 years as a special education teacher for high school students with developmental disabilities, and years as a program manger with Living Well Disability Services, Kit Piltingsrud is now a training specialist with Mt Olivet Rolling Acres. Kit has a Master’s of Science degree from St. Cloud State University in Developmental Disabilities and Special Education.
Kit spent many years as a musician playing the bassoon in symphonies but now enjoys time outside with friends and family canoeing, kayaking, and hiking or inside quilting, and baking.
Co-Founder
Secretary of the Board
Sean supports everyone in Hammer’s residential services to attain greater independence, safety, and life fulfillment through the use of supportive technology. He also creates meaningful insights from the data systems Hammer utilizes to create efficiency and prepare for the future .
In his free time, Sean en
Co-Founder
Secretary of the Board
Sean supports everyone in Hammer’s residential services to attain greater independence, safety, and life fulfillment through the use of supportive technology. He also creates meaningful insights from the data systems Hammer utilizes to create efficiency and prepare for the future .
In his free time, Sean enjoys playing and recording music in his tiny home office.
Treasurer
Leah is an Assistive Technology Specialist with 8 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities. She has knowledge of assistive technology, environmental accessibility, and person-centered support planning. She is involved in various avenues of adaptive fitness and advocacy.
Leah enjoys body building, coaching lacro
Treasurer
Leah is an Assistive Technology Specialist with 8 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities. She has knowledge of assistive technology, environmental accessibility, and person-centered support planning. She is involved in various avenues of adaptive fitness and advocacy.
Leah enjoys body building, coaching lacrosse, and spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter.
Owner & Co-Founder
Board Member
Matt Hansen worked for six years as a Direct Support Professional, as Director of Assistive Technology for a Minnesota non-profit and understands the dynamics of supporting people in their own home. Matt is a certified Assistive Technology Professional, Environmental Accessibility Specialist, the owner of Mer
Owner & Co-Founder
Board Member
Matt Hansen worked for six years as a Direct Support Professional, as Director of Assistive Technology for a Minnesota non-profit and understands the dynamics of supporting people in their own home. Matt is a certified Assistive Technology Professional, Environmental Accessibility Specialist, the owner of Mercarik and has his MBA and Bachelors from the University of St. Thomas.
Matthew enjoys sports of all kinds and travels around the US to run long distance races.
DHS Representative
Board Member
Anna has a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation and an Assistive Technology Certification. She has over 25 years’ experience working with people with disabilities in a variety of capacities; Currently at MN-DHS’ as the Waiver Policy L
DHS Representative
Board Member
Anna has a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation and an Assistive Technology Certification. She has over 25 years’ experience working with people with disabilities in a variety of capacities; Currently at MN-DHS’ as the Waiver Policy Lead for Assistive and Monitoring technology/remote support.
Anna enjoys gardening, being on the water, traveling (especially if it involves a beach) and spending time with family and friends.
Board Member
Sue Redepenning is the owner of LiveLife Therapy Solutions and the Program Director for Technology for HOME, a state-funded program which provides assistive technology (AT) for people with disabilities throughout Minnesota. Sue leads a team of twelve AT consultants (Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Physical The
Board Member
Sue Redepenning is the owner of LiveLife Therapy Solutions and the Program Director for Technology for HOME, a state-funded program which provides assistive technology (AT) for people with disabilities throughout Minnesota. Sue leads a team of twelve AT consultants (Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Nursing and Engineering).
Sue raised all boys, 4 of them, that keep her busy and make life fun/never boring.
Board Member
Chanell is a Case Manager and AT Specialist with Olmsted County’s Children’s Developmental Disabilities Services Unit and has over 20 years of experience providing supports for individuals with disabilities. She has her bachelor’s degree in Family Services from the University of Northern Iowa and AT Specialist Certification t
Board Member
Chanell is a Case Manager and AT Specialist with Olmsted County’s Children’s Developmental Disabilities Services Unit and has over 20 years of experience providing supports for individuals with disabilities. She has her bachelor’s degree in Family Services from the University of Northern Iowa and AT Specialist Certification through California State University of Northridge.
Chanell enjoys traveling and seeing new places, being on the water, animals, and love spending time with friends and family.
Board Member
Kathy is the Director of Remote Supports and Assistive Technology for REM Minnesota. Kathy has held
diverse rolls within REM including Clinical Director and Director Brain Injury and Specialty Support
Services. Her love of rehabilitation services lead her AT to
help individuals achieve greater independence.
Kathy loves being outsi
Board Member
Kathy is the Director of Remote Supports and Assistive Technology for REM Minnesota. Kathy has held
diverse rolls within REM including Clinical Director and Director Brain Injury and Specialty Support
Services. Her love of rehabilitation services lead her AT to
help individuals achieve greater independence.
Kathy loves being outside doing any sort of water related activity including swimming, boating or just enjoying the sun. She is a hack golfer who dreams of a hole-in-one. She enjoys solving puzzles especially the puzzle that is repairing and driving her 1929 Ford Model A.
Board Member
Sheri Cooke is the Assistive Technology Program Director at the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living in Duluth, MN. She has over 25 years of experience in providing supports to people with disabilities and has been working as an AT Specialist and ATP for the last 14 years.
Sheri enjoys spending time with her family and new grandson, her horse, her dogs and working out.
Board Member
Michael is Director of Development at Night Owl Support Systems, where he helps increase awareness of how to increase independence for individuals with disabilities through Remote Support services. With MN NEAT, he is able to educate Minnesota providers, caregivers, families, and individuals alike on the benefits of services l
Board Member
Michael is Director of Development at Night Owl Support Systems, where he helps increase awareness of how to increase independence for individuals with disabilities through Remote Support services. With MN NEAT, he is able to educate Minnesota providers, caregivers, families, and individuals alike on the benefits of services like these.
Outside of work, Michael fosters shelter dogs, plays ice hockey, and annoys his loved ones with puns and bad jokes - all of which provide him with much joy.
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