Access to Independence

Michelle

Michelle is an occupational therapist with over 38 years of experience in the area of assistive technology. She is the former Clinical Director of The Assistive Technology Clinics of The Children’s Hospital of Denver and has been in private practice; Access to Independence, Inc., for 19 years. Michelle’s work in assistive technology covers a broad range of roles and services. She has evaluated and treated children and adults with a variety of diagnoses and currently provides consultation and education in the areas of wheelchair seating and mobility, accessibility, assistive technology access, and mounting.

Michelle is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has presented over 750 courses, webinars, and recorded content. She is the former Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator for the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS). She is a member of the OccupationalTherapy.com advisory board.

Michelle is co-editor (with Jean Minkel) of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide (1st and 2nd editions), editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th Ed. (RESNA Press), and former Clinical Editor of NRRTS Directions magazine. She is also former Editor of the Technology Special Interest Section (TSIS) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Michelle has authored 2 texts, 13 book chapters, 250 articles, and over 150 blogs. She is a member of the RESNA Assistive Technology Journal Editorial Board.

Michelle is a past RESNA Secretary, Member at Large, member of the Board of Directors, Education Chair and the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Special Interest Group Vice Chair. Michelle is a past member of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Wheeled Mobility Advisory Board and is a current member of the Clinician Task Force and the Wheelchair Skills Program. Michelle is a RESNA Fellow, as well as a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS). She is a former Senior Disability Analyst of the American Board of Disability Analysts (ABDA).

Michelle recently received the iNRRTS Leadership Award which is presented to those having made significant advancements for iNRRTS and who have had a profound impact on service delivery of Complex Rehab Technology.

Michelle is happily married and has three wonderful children and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys hiking, biking, reading, working in the yard, and home improvement projects. And Chocolate!