Assistive Technology know how with Wade Wingler!

Wade Wingler got into assistive technology when, as a 10 year old kid, he obtained his first computer.  Even at that early age he was able to take the leap into writing software. As he grew up, he had the privilege of watching his friends and family work with people with disabilities.  Later, he studied social work and sociology in college.  After explaining this, Wade told me "My story stopped being interesting at that point."   But, as I listened to him further, I realized that his story doesn't stop being interesting at all!  In fact, his story just keeps getting better!

Twenty years ago, it all started with a reply to a newspaper ad seeking someone who could: Teach people with disabilities how to use computers. With his interest peaked, he applied and became,  Director of Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads,  and you can tell he enjoys every single minute!  Technology has made a major switch from the DOS computers to now having Google Driverless Cars, Iphones, and IPADs....  For many of us, the technology boggles the mind, but not for a tech savvy guy like Wade! :)   In fact, after I interviewed him,  he excitedly told me that he had a check in his pocket and was going to make the grueling trip to the Apple Store to buy IPADS for the Easter Seals Equipment Lending Library!  Truth be told, the trip was not going to be grueling for him at all!!  As the field of technology transformed, Wade decided he didn't want to keep this vital information about assistive technology to himself.  That's when the podcast known as Assistive Technology Update was born!  The idea for the podcast came from the fact that as Wade says, "There was always so much assistive technology news coming across my desk, I got to thinking, how can we share this information?"  

A weekly podcast keeping you up to date on the latest developments in the world of Assistive Technology for people with disabilities?  Yes, please!!  The half hour show is produced every week, filled with latest news, interviews, show notes and much more!  Listeners from all over the world have tapped into this all access look in to the world of assistive technology!  What an impact this podcast has on those in need of assistive technology!  

The podcast is the best of both worlds for this podcast host because it offers him the ability to be "a little bit social worker and a little bit nerd."  Wade is a great guy to meet and a perfect host for this podcast!  If you haven't listened to the podcast, I encourage you to do so.  It is a wonderful resource for the the disability community and beyond!

Thank you Wade for answering the newspaper ad twenty years ago - all your efforts are making a difference in people's lives and making our lives easier to live!  Thank you!  Thank you to Easter Seals Crossroads as well, for being forward thinking people and continuing to show that people with disabilities are people, with potential to accomplish great things, with support from people like you!

"Hi Everybody this is Michelle Fischer, host of A View from My Window and this is your Assistive Technology Update, Via Behind the Mic"

Listen in to my interview with Wade at the link below: /www.arcind.org/upload/media/A%20View%20into%20Assistive%20Technology%20with%20Wade%20Wingler.mp3

Michelle Fischer is the host of A View from my Window, a podcast produced by the Arc of Indiana

Listen to Wade's Podcast, Assistive Technology Update here:  /atupdate.libsyn.com/