CAT Staff & Affiliates
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SUSAN ARNOLD
Business Manager for all CAT Programs
smarnold@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 169
Sue Arnold joined the Center for Assistive Technology as Business Manager in
2001. Ms. Arnold coordinates with the Director and Associate Director, personnel,
and account management for the CAT program. She has previous
Center experience having worked for an industry-university cooperative research
program before joining the CAT.
STEPHEN BAUER, Ph.D.
T2RERC Co-Director and Director of Research and Development
smbauer@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 117
Dr. Bauer received degrees in Psychology [BA 78], Chemistry [BS '79]
and Electrical and Computer Engineering [MS '89, Ph.D. '92] from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
During this time, he received an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellow in Rehabilitation Medicine ['92-'93] and a University
Engineering Lectureship ['87-'90]. Dr. Bauer is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation
Science and co-Director of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer
(T2RERC).
The mission of the T2RERC is "to facilitate introduction of products into the marketplace, addressing
important needs of persons with disabilities, through a systematic technology transfer process." Under the
T2RERC, Dr. Bauer directs the Demand Pull Project whose focus has included wheelchairs and scooters ['98],
hearing aids and assistive listening systems ['99], augmentative communication devices ['00] and vision technology
['02]. Dr. Bauer's professional interests include technology transfer, market research, product planning and design,
and assistive technology. His personal interests include gardening, biking, hiking and history.
KATIE BEAVER, MS
Associate Director, CAT
kbeaver@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 103
Ms. Beaver is the Associate Director of the Center for Assistive Technology and the Project Investigator for the Instant
Access to Braille project. She also co-coordinates the Buffalo Assistive Technology Center for the Commission for the
Blind and Visually Impaired and works as an assistive technology evaluator and trainer for a variety of school districts
and agencies in Western New York.
TIMOTHY A. ENGLERT, AAS Computer Repair
Systems Analyst
tenglert@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 111
Mr. Englert manages/assists the day-to-day operations of 5 Windows NT 4.0 servers
and a Microsoft Exchange mail server for the local area network (LAN) within
the School of Public Health and Health Professions.
Providing technical support to over 200 users within the school, he is responsible
for implementing and
performing cost-effective upgrades and replacements of the computer systems,
including software and peripherals associated with the LAN.
LINDA F. FRAAS, OTR/L, ATP, MA
Senior Research Specialist, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging
(RERC-Aging)
lffraas@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 165
Ms. Fraas received her BS degree in Occupational Therapy (Magna cum Laude)
from Howard University, Washington, DC. She earned an MA degree in Counseling
Services from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. She is a licensed, practicing
occupational therapist at the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on
Aging (RERC-Aging).
She came to the Center in 1994, bringing with her considerable experience working with older adults in the community and
in long-term care facilities. She has developed and conducted numerous training seminars for health care professionals and
caregivers working with the elder population.
At the RERC-Aging, she conducts research on the needs of older persons with disabilities for assistive technology and the
effectiveness of assistive technology interventions. Ms. Fraas is responsible for directing and coordinating a
multidisciplinary team and providing interventions for three research projects, 1) Effectiveness of Assistive Technology
Devices and Environmental Interventions in Maintaining Independence in the Home-Based Elderly: A Controlled Clinical
Trial; 2) Minority Issues in Assistive Technology Use; and 3) A Field-Initiated Research Project to Determine the Effectiveness
of a Computer-Based Monitoring System to Promote Self-Care Among Older Persons with Physical Disabilities. Ms. Fraas is the
primary developer and presenter for the Center's "Train the Trainer Workshops" which enable service providers and volunteers
to disseminate information about assistive technology and home modifications directly to consumers and their caregivers
within their community.
AMY GOETZ, MS
Clinical Instructor
amygoetz@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 154
Ms. Goetz has a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She specializes in the area of pediatrics and has worked
with children from birth through eighteen years old in a variety of community, medical, and educational settings. She
combines her experience in working with young children with disabilities and her knowledge of serving families in her work
in the Let's Play! Project at the University. The Let's Play Project is
a federally funded model demonstration project, which promotes play in young children with disabilities through the use of
assistive technology. Ms. Goetz has shared information on play in children with disabilities, the use of assistive technology
with young children and on family-centered service delivery with audiences both locally and across the nation. Ms. Goetz is
also involved in teaching in the undergraduate curriculum in the OT Department. Her teaching efforts focus on treatment in
pediatrics and on vocational rehabilitation services. Additionally, she works part time, delivering clinical OT services, at
the Children's Hospital of Buffalo.
CHRISTOPHER GRABOWSKI
Project Aid
chrisg@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 170
Christopher Grabowski works as a trainer in the Center for Assistive Technology. He works with clients from the New York
State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, teaching them to use recommended assistive devices and computers.
Mr. Grabowski is also a user who depends on the technology that he teaches. He has been with the Center since 1996. He is
up to date with the constant changes of the adaptive technology field, and he beta tests various new assistive devices for
the Center and manufacturers.
JOSEPH P. LANE, MBPA
Director of Center for Assistive Technology
Director of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T2RERC)
joelane@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141
Mr. Lane holds a Master's Degree in Business and Public Administration (MBPA)
from the University of California, Irvine. He is the Director of RERC on Technology
Transfer, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research, US Department of Education. Mr. Lane is also Director of the Center
for Assistive Technology, School of Health Related Professions. He functions
as Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal, "Technology & Disability",
published by IOS Press from 1990-1999. He has co-authored two books, "Assistive
Technology for Persons with Disabilities (2nd Edition)", published
by the American Occupational Therapy Association, and "Managing Information
Systems", published by Jossey-Bass. He has authored dozens of papers and
invited presentations on assistive technology, technology transfer, and grantsmanship,
at national and international conferences. Mr. Lane received the New York State
Governor's
Award for Productivity (1991), and the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence
in Professional Service (1996).
JAMES A. LEAHY, BS
Project Coordinator for T2RERC
jimleahy@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 135
Prior to his position as invention evaluation program coordinator for the RERC-TET
(1993-1998), he held project management positions for Union Carbide and Bell
Aerospace Textron. He has attained various corporate performance awards and
was a
loaned executive to the United Way program. Mr. Leahy has led the T2RERC's
Supply Push technology transfer program for three years, and is a nationally
recognized expert in invention evaluation, refinement and commercialization.
JAMES A. LENKER, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Clinical Assistant Professor
lenker@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 109
Mr. Lenker is the Program Director for the Graduate Certificate Program in Assistive Technology.
He is also an active member of the service delivery team at UB's Center for Assistive Technology. His educational background
includes MS and BS degrees in mechanical engineering, as well as a BS degree in occupational therapy. Mr. Lenker's professional
interests include computer access and accommodation for people with disabilities, as well as worksite assessment for
accommodation and prevention of worker injury. He is active in the RESNA and AOTA professional societies for assistive
technology providers and occupational therapists, respectively.
WILLIAM C. MANN, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA
Founder, Director - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging
Dr. Mann founded the Center for Assistive Technology, a multidisciplinary
and interagency center conducting sponsored research, education, and service
programs. With funding from the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), and the Administration on Aging, Dr. Mann
established the first Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC-Aging). Dr. Mann is co-editor of the journal Technology and Disability,
and co-authored the textbook, Assistive Technology for Persons with Disabilities.
He has authored over fifty articles on Assistive Technology and Aging since
1990.
SUSAN MISTRETT, BS, MS Ed.
Let's Play! Research Project, PI
AT Training Online (ATTO) Project, Project Director
AT in the Schools Project, AT Consultant/Trainer
mistrett@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 155
Ms. Mistrett holds a BS in Elementary Education and a MS Ed. in Early Education from the State University College at Buffalo.
She has been active in the field of education for more than twenty years. She has been awarded several federal grants focusing
on the use of strategies, including assistive technology, which supports the inclusion of children with disabilities in
community environments. She currently directs three projects supported by the US Department of Education focusing on the AT
needs of children in elementary schools: the ATTO Project (designing AT
workshops on the Internet), the AT in the Schools Project (building school district capacity to use AT), and the National
Center to Support Technology Innovation for Students with Disabilities (AT information channels for families and teachers).
Funded research projects include the Let's Play! Research Project
which assesses the effectiveness of AT for infants & toddlers with disabilities. She continues to be involved in several
New York State projects focusing on the implementation of Play and Assistive Technology Lending Libraries in the state as
well as the identification of strategies to support post-secondary students with disabilities. She is an invited speaker at
state and national conferences and has developed several products related to the successful use of technology with children.
MICHAEL O'BRIEN
Data Entry Clerk
Mr. O'Brien earned a general studies degree from Niagara County Community College in 1985. From 1994 until August 2000, he
did data entry for the RERC-Aging's Project LINK. Since
September 2000 he has worked for CAT services. His duties include
maintaining the databases, inputting names and addresses, and writing reports summarizing specific conditions.
CHRISTINE R. ODDO, MS
Research Associate
coddo@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141
ext. 110
Ms. Oddo received a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy with a concentration in Physical Disabilities and ACT. She
currently provides ACT evaluations and service for students and adults with disabilities at the Center. Her work includes
preparing students and student teams to use technology to enhance educational capabilities. She has worked on federal model
and demonstration projects with persons with sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities providing evaluation, training,
and customization of assistive technology for transition, post secondary education, and work. She is co-coordinator for the
Technology and Transition grant. She has presented at national and state conferences on the use of ACT for individuals with
disabilities, and has authored book chapters on ACT in higher education and for work. She has contributed to the development
of educational videos, continuing education workshops, and a computer-assisted learning program to train professionals on the
use of assistive technology.
BARBARA OESCHGER
Administrative Assistant
716-829-3141
Ms. Oeschger is the Administrative Assistant for Client Services at the Center for
Assistive Technology. She is responsible for scheduling clients for assessment and training and assists in the coordination
of schedules, messages and other related aspects of CAT. Ms. Oeschger is a former CAT client and participated in an assistive
technology evaluation and subsequent training.
JAMES L. PERON
Engineering Design Assistant
jimperon@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 162
Mr. Peron oversees the Design & Fabrication Shop, and he designs, builds, and
modifies assistive devices for the Occupational Therapy Department and the Center for Assistive Technology, and their clients.
He aids the staff and faculty with projects, and helps further the education of the departmental graduate students. He is
currently instructing a summer course on solder techniques and building a switch box. He also builds the displays for the many
trade shows with which the Center is involved.
SUMANA SILVERHEELS, MA, ATP
Project Staff Assistant
ssheels@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 108
Ms. Silverheels has a Bachelors degree in Physics, Electronics, and a Master of Arts degree in Social Science. Her expertise
lies in the field of assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired. She coordinates the training program
for the New York State Department of Social Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), housed at the
Center. Ms. Silverheels has served as a Chairperson for the Standards Committee and the Steering Committee for the nine centers
of CBVH. Ms. Silverheels is also responsible for configuring computers with recommended hardware, software and assistive
devices for the Pilot Project of CBVH. Prior to working for the Center she worked as a Research and Development Engineer for
an Electronics company in India.
KATHLEEN STANTON, RN, MSN
Research Support Specialist, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on
Aging (RERC-Aging)
kms4@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 164
Ms. Stanton graduated Magna cum Laude from the State University of New York
at Buffalo with a joint BS/MS degree in Nursing Administration. She came to
the RERC-Aging at the Center for Assistive Technology
in 1998, with extensive experience working with older adults in the community
and in long-term care facilities as both a clinician and an
administrator. Her work experience includes Utilization Review for a Managed
Care Group, Case Management for the MR population, and Supervision at area
Health Care Centers. At the RERC- Aging her duties include recruitment of subjects
for the
Consumer Assessment Study, coordination
of interviewers, data collection, information coordination for the Senior Resources
hotline, and training older adults in the use of computers
for the current study, Effectiveness
of Computer-Based Monitoring System to Promote Self-Care among Older Persons
with Disabilities.
JOHN STONE, Ph.D., MPA
Clinical Associate Professor
jstone@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 169
Dr. Stone holds a BA from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Public Administration
from North Carolina State University and a Ph.D. in Education from Florida
State University. Prior to joining the UB faculty, he worked for 17 years in
Brazil, including faculty appointments at the National Institute for Space
Research, the Federal University of Espirito Santo and the Federal University
of Maranhao. He has also held an appointment as Adjunct Faculty with the University
of British Columbia. He teaches graduate courses on Aging and Disability, Functional
Limitations and Disability, and Academic Writing and Presenting. His current
areas of interest include assistive technology, aging, and international rehabilitation
research. Dr.
Stone is Director of the Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information
and Exchange (CIRRIE) and has recently
published a book through SAGE Publications -- Culture and Disability: Providing
Culturally Competent Services.
VATHSALA IYENGAR STONE, MS, Ph.D.
T2RERC Director of Research and Evaluation
vstone@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 101
Dr. Stone is responsible for research support and coordination for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology
Transfer (T2RERC). She provides consultation on methodology issues to project
personnel, and manages consumer research data from national surveys. She also interfaces with consumer, technical, and marketing
teams on research implementation, and results dissemination and publication.
Dr. Stone holds a Ph.D. degree in Educational Evaluation & Research Design from Florida State University, an MS in Science
Education from North Carolina State University, 1971, a BEd in Physical Science & Math Education and a BS in Physical Science
& Math, both from the University of Mysore, India. Her areas of special interests include Qualitative and Quantitative
Research Design, Program Evaluation, Psychometrics, and Curriculum/Instructional Development. She has worked with Education of
Special Needs Populations, Distance Education, Science Education, and Medical/Health Education.
Dr. Stone's prior experience includes 17 years of research and faculty appointments in Brazil, where she taught courses,
conducted research and directed masters theses related to her areas of specialization. At the National Institute for Space
Research, she designed and coordinated the evaluation of learning for the Brazilian Educational Satellite Experiment. She
extensively consulted for the Brazilian Ministry of Education and for UNICEF, and currently consults for the University of
Brasilia/UNESCO on distance education and evaluation. Recently, as Medical Education Specialist at the SUNY Buffalo
Medical School, she did research, consulting, and grant writing for the School's Primary Care Initiatives, prior to which she
worked as Education Specialist/Consultant for Science First in Buffalo, NY.
MACHIKO TOMITA, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
machikot@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 153
Dr. Tomita holds Masters degrees from Sophia University in Tokyo and the University
of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in social research from the University of Minnesota.
She teaches research methods at the graduate level. Her current interest is
in measurement
validity and cultural diversity in health and illness. As statistician at the
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging (RERC-Aging), she is responsible for data management and analysis for all research conducted in the Center.
JENNIFER B. WEIR, BA
Webmaster/Developer
jweir @ buffalo.edu
Ms. Weir has a bachelor's degree in Communication from the University at Buffalo, seven years of experience working in the
field of assistive technology, and 4 years of experience in web design and development. Currently, she is the webmaster for
the Cornucopia of Disability Information. In this role, she writes site content,
designs the look and feel of the site, ensures user accessibility, monitors site traffic, and writes or implements
software for interactive web features. Languages, platforms, and software related to her web skills include HTML,
Perl, PHP, UNIX, Linux, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Microsoft Frontpage.
KATHY WISNIEWSKI
kwisniew@buffalo.edu
716-829-3141 ext. 168
Ms. Wisniewski is the Administrative Assistant for the Center for International
Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE).
She assists John Stone, Director with the daily activities of the CIRRIE project.
Prior to this, she held the position of Administrative Assistant at the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering
Research Information Services, North Campus. She was employed for nine years as the Administrative Assistant for the
Occupational and Physical Therapy Department at Summit Educational Resources in Tonawanda, formerly know as the Language
Development Program.
LAURIE YARNES, BS
Graphic Designer
lyarnes@buffalo.edu
716-829-3132
Ms. Yarnes has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Graphic Design from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.
She has worked in the graphic design field for fourteen years. She is responsible for desktop publishing for the Center for
Assistive Technology. Her duties include coordinating the process of printed materials such as brochures, posters and
promotional literature from preliminary concepts to pre-press production.
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