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Auston Stamm "I was born with mild cerebral palsy, which affects my fine motor skill and visual processing. I was blessed to have a very supportive family and to be able to attend Westmark School in Southern California. Westmark specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities. Westmark helped me overcome my learning disability and succeed academically. I feel inspired every day to provide students with disabilities the supports they need to thrive in higher education institutions.
I am currently the Accessibility & Assistive Technology Coordinator at Saint Mary's College in Northern California. I am an expert in assistive technology solutions like text to speech, speech to text, and accessible web applications. I work with faculty to help them integrate universal design principles into their curriculum. I am also the faculty advisor for the DiverseAbilities Club on campus, which is a student-led club that arranges multiple disability awareness events each year.
Outside of my work I am on the board of directors of Ability Now Bay Area, which is a learning resource for people with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. Ability Now offers a wide range of in-person and online courses, along with organizational training in person-centered planning. I have been actively involved in helping upgrade their technology center with the latest assistive technology. Currently, I am working to expand their virtual online learning program and to leverage the latest HyFlex educational strategies.
I received my BA in Film Production from Loyola Marymount and my master's in occupational therapy from the University Of Southern California. I am currently working toward a doctorate in Educational Technology from Boise State University. I plan to explore how integrated learning management reminders can help students stay on top of their assignments. This kind of technology can be especially beneficial for students who have difficulties with organization and executive functioning. I am working on getting my Section 508 Trusted Tester certification, which is a free program provided by Homeland Security.
In my free time, I have started a YouTube Channel and website to cover stories and strategies relating to accessibility & disability rights. I am interested in exploring freelance opportunities that will allow me to develop my skills in accessibility and universal design."
