Occupational studies students learn real-world value of assistive technology from athletes

BIDDEFORD, Maine — As Grace Stults with Special Olympics Maine explained to a University of New England occupational studies class on March 3 some of the latest assistive technology and adaptive equipment, the young man sitting to her right put a fine point on Stults's message that those who utilize assistive technology to speak due to intellectual disabilities possess a keen understanding and interest in being part of the conversations. 

Special Olympics Maine athlete Scotty Wentzell held up his iPad with a photo of him and Stults at a Christmas party, the same Christmas party Stults was telling the class a story about. Wentzell’s visual cue perfectly underscored Stults' advice to the students in UNE’s Occupational Studies program to employ not just new technology, but also empathy, understanding, and patience when working with people with a disability.

Stults came to talk in the Harold Alfond Forum to Assistant Clinical Professor Christopher Delenick’s class about assistive technology and adaptive equipment on March 3 as part of a unique panel discussion. She was joined by Wentzell, his mother, Lisa, and Special Olympics Maine athlete Annie Nee, who has intellectual disabilities and is a wheelchair user. 

All four experts spoke about how those with intellectual disabilities can navigate an active and meaningful life with the help of assistive technology and adaptive equipment. 

While Stults had spoken to Delenick’s class in the past, March 3 marked the first time she was joined by athletes with disabilities. The panel discussion was an idea Stults conceived along with Laurie Pearson, B.S.’20 (Occupational Studies), Special Olympics Maine’s Unified Schools and Wellness coordinator.

And Delenick, O.T.D., OT/L, in UNE’s Westbrook College of Health Professions jumped at the idea.

“I can only do so much as an advocate and an ally to the community but having someone who truly has a disability and understands what that means for day-to-day life is huge. And nothing I can say can replicate what Annie can show us and what Scotty can tell us,” said Stults, Special Olympics Maine’s health and wellness director.

Lisa Wentzell shared with the class how adaptive equipment has allowed her son to downhill ski, waterski, bicycle, and engage with his peers at school. Then she let Scotty Wentzell introduce himself through a message they programed into his iPad using an app called DoTalk.

When Scotty pressed a button on his iPad, an automated voice greeted the students: “Hi, my name is Scotty Wenzell, and it is so nice to meet all of you. I love being able to participate in sports. And thanks to so many organizations — like the adaptive Special Surfers, the Portland Wheelers, and the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center — I do.”

Having this first-hand interaction with a person with disabilities who uses assisted technology enriched and elevated the learning in Delenick’s occupational studies class, said Maeve McNulty (M.S.O.T., ’29), a second-year undergraduate in the 3+2 track that will allow her to earn her bachelor’s and master's degree in occupational therapy in five years.

Getting to hear from not only the individuals who work at Special Olympics, but also from the caregivers, and the athletes is really, really helpful, especially for someone going into the profession.” — UNE student Maeve McNulty

“I think this is a really exceptional kind of experience to be able to see firsthand how these assistive technology devices impact these adults after we've been learning about assistive technology in class,” McNulty said. “Getting to hear from not only the individuals who work at Special Olympics, but also from the caregivers, and the athletes is really, really helpful, especially for someone going into the profession.”

Delenick echoed McNulty’s enthusiasm and then thanked the athletes and guests for sharing their first-hand accounts of how occupational therapists can help others by breaking down barriers through innovation — a goal at the heart of the UNE mission.

“We can watch videos or we can read about it in textbooks and articles, but talking to folks who are actually using the technology themselves is a different experience and it's a great one,” Delenick said. “I can't thank you enough for this. So, thank you.”