Episode 56. Liz Persaud: Assistive Technology Professional

Raising Kellan

Briefing: Knowledge has power and controls access to opportunity and advancement. During this time, Liz Persaud will explore and share the collective role each of us plays in promoting successful independent living beyond the everyday “typical” environments for individuals with disabilities by recognizing and adapting to diversity, inclusion, awareness, and the powerful role of Assistive Technology (AT).

As a professional in the AT community with personal experiences that have structured and informed everyday living, Liz will spend this time to reflect back, look forward, and share her incredible life journey along with some valuable lessons learned. Diagnosed at the age of 9 months old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, Liz was not expected to live beyond the age of 2.

Medical advice focused on institutionalization and stated that survival would not include access to education, socialization, and employment. Using hope as a catalyst for survival, Liz has and continues to defy all medical expectations. Now at the age of 42, Liz is a college graduate, married, and recognized on an international level for her work to promote independence and disability awareness through assistive technology. She is a nationally recognized public speaker and advocates for addressing the need to build bridges and solidify the gaps between individuals living with and without disabilities.

Liz currently serves as the Program and Outreach Manager for Tools for Life, Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program, at the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation within the College of Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Liz also serves on the Board of Directors at NMD United, Inc., a non-profit organization composed of adults living with neuromuscular disabilities and provides outreach and raises disability awareness to numerous groups and organizations across the globe.

Her passion lies within education about generations of adults growing up and living independently and successfully with childhood neuromuscular diseases. Liz is sought-after for her influential storytelling, shedding light on the power of assistive technology and its impact on the lives of individuals living with disabilities and their support circles and by educating on self-determination and advocacy with a focus on technology and disabilities.

During Liz's time with you she will shed more light on disability culture, share information about attitudinal barriers faced by people living with disabilities, along with helpful tips, strategies, and solutions on how to overcome these barriers using tools like education, understanding and moving beyond tolerance towards acceptance. Join Liz as she shares positive outcomes that can occur when thoughtful communication, inclusion and awareness are integrated into the lives of each and every one of us in a collective community.

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