A.B.L.E. Tech

A.B.L.E. Tech:
Achieving Better Life Experiences for People With
Injury, Disability, and Aging Challenges
Through 21st Century Technologies<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

Within a decade, the number of Americans requiring continual managed care for chronic conditions could reach 100 million. Explore the entrepreneurial opportunities that technology, engineering, and life sciences can have on the quality of every day life for the aging and disabled.

"A.B.L.E. Tech" will spotlight:

Our featured national panel is moderated by NBC News correspondent and MIT Media Lab Distinguished Fellow, John Hockenberry, and features MIT Media Lab Professor Hugh Herr, and noted inventor, entrepreneur and president of DEKA Research, Dean Kamen.

The national panel presentation will be followed by a <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>
Seattle panel discussion. The panel will then participate in a Q&A session with the audience.

Seattle Panel

Moderator:      Michael Bradbury, CEO, Real Science joined by

Panelists:        Dr. Sheryl  Burgstahler, Director, Accessible Technology Services, UW

Leo Dokshutsky, Founder, Golden Wellness - a company providing exercise products and services for the elderly and disabled.

Steve Meginniss, CEO, Magic Wheels - makers of a two-speed wheelchair drive.

• The June 20th program starts at 5:30 pm in the Laser Dome at The Pacific Science Center, located at 200 2^nd Avenue N, Seattle, Washington 
• Networking Session - 5:30 to 6:30, Broadcast plus Local Q&A 6:30 - 8:30 pm
• Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door 
• Street parking available or in surrounding parking lots for a fee 
• Register online at www.mitwa.org. For more information call 206-283-9595.  

 Biographies

Moderator

Michael Bradbury is the founder and CEO of REAL Science, an online science media company featuring the best and brightest in all disciplines. This Seattle start-up is one of the top-rated podcasts at iTunes and combines text, audio and video for a fully integrated multimedia science experience. Bradbury is a journalist with a decade of experience writing for local and national newspapers and magazines. He has produced 25 hours of programming for national PBS broadcast and is the Washington state correspondent for Sirius Satellite Radio. He is a member of numerous professional journalism organizations and sits on the board of the Northwest Science Writers Association. 

Panelists

Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler directs DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) and Accessible Technology Services and Outreach at the University of Washington. DO-IT has been the recipient of many awards, including the National Information Infrastructure Award in Education, The President's Award for Mentoring, the Golden Apple Award in Education, and the AHEAD Program Recognition award.

Dr. Burgstahler is also Co-Director of the National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education (AccessIT). This alliance, funded by the National Institute on Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education), coordinates a nation-wide effort to assist educational and governmental institutions to reach the goal of making education-based information technology (IT) accessible to all students and employees, including those with disabilities. Dr. Burgstahler directs the Northwest Alliance for Access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (AccessSTEM). This center, funded by the National Science Foundation, serves to increase the participation of people with disabilities in STEM academics programs and careers.

Dr. Burgstahler has published articles and delivered presentations at national and international conferences that focus on universal design of distance learning, websites, computer labs, instruction, student services, and other applications in education; and the management of electronic communities, work-based learning activities and transition programs for youth with disabilities. She is the author or co-author of eight books on using the Internet with pre-college students and directing e-mentoring and transition programs. Dr. Burgstahler has degrees in mathematics, education, and administration of higher education. She is an Affiliate Associate Professor in the College of Education. Dr. Burgstahler is the recipient of many awards, including the Harry J. Murphy Catalyst Award

Leo Dokshutsky is the Executive Director and founder of Golden Wellness LLC, a Seattle start-up whose mission is to help retirement and rehabilitation communities and clinics create comprehensive, cost-effective, and customized wellness solutions tailored to their needs.  He is also the inventor of The Fitness Arch, a patent-pending comprehensive wellness system designed to provide total body strength, cardiovascular and fall prevention training to users at home, retirement communities, and rehabilitation clinics.   

Leo's passion for the retirement and rehabilitation industry is based on 12 year experience as a Personal Trainer and his work within the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.  Leo is a recipient of 2002 Albert Schweitzer Award for his work with disabled children and has recently won the Notre Dame Business Plan Venture Fair for his Fitness Arch invention.  His educational background includes a BA from University of Chicago, 2 years of medical school at Northwestern University, and an MBA from University from Dallas in Healthcare Management. Leo can be best reached at leo@goldenwellness.org or by phone at 206-223-9355.   

Steve Meginniss, P.E., President/CEO, Magic Wheels, Inc.

With nearly 40 years of experience designing and developing medical and aircraft products, Steve Meginniss acutely understands the science behind mechanism and movement.  A crackerjack gadget-man and marvel of all things mechanical, Steve has a large library of mechanism reference books.  He has an impressive and extensive history in creative design with eighteen patents to his credit.  He has served as design engineer and/or project manager on close to 60 product development projects involving robotics, automation, pumps, optics and other mechanisms, including aircraft flight deck and switch products, proprietary skin care appliances, and exercise related electro-mechanical projects.  

Professionally, Steve Meginniss has served as Engineering Section Manager for Quinton Instruments; Design Consultant for Sequoia-Turner Corp.; Engineering Manager for Korry Electronics; Vice President Engineering & QA of Dexter-Wilson Corp.; Project Manager & Mechanical Engineer for Optiva Corporation on the development of the first  Sonicare Toothbrush;  Co-Founder and Vice-President of Mechanical Engineering for Pacific Bioscience Laboratories, Inc. (developing Clarisonic^(R) skincare appliances); and, of course, Inventor, Co-Founder and CEO of Magic Wheels, Inc.  

Steve Meginniss earned a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Miami and graduated from the Machinists School at the U.S. Army Ordinance School.  When not busying himself with revolutionary mechanisms, Steve spends his time reading, rowing and recumbent biking.  He currently lives in Seattle with his wife Robin Maddox, also a full-time Magic Wheels, Inc. Co-Founder and Vice President of Administration