How Assistive Technology Ignited a Passion and Transformed a Life

Sady Paulson and Mark Coppin offer a case study of how assistive technology can open up new worlds and transform lives in this ISTE19 Mainstage Presentation. Coppin, an assistive technology professional from North Dakota, introduced Paulson to assistive video technology that ignited Paulson's creative and professional fires. Paulson, who has cerebral palsy, went on to get a degree in cinematography and launch a career in film directing and editing. It all started at a summer camp Coppin runs for students who wouldn’t usually experience summer camp, whether for physical, cognitive or behavioral reasons. Coppin exposes the students to adaptive technologies that offer ways for them to express their creativity, whether it’s photography, videography, music or art. Coppin was putting together a digital slideshow of campers’ photos when Paulson asked if she could help. “I gave her the tools to do it and she just went wild,” Coppin said. Paulson became passionate about digital storytelling because it allowed her to express her creativity and tell stories from her perspective. She started doing video slideshows, which eventually led to a scholarship at Full Sail University where she got her degree in cinematography.