How the State of Tennessee integrates Enabling Technology into its programs and services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Enabling Technology is the use of various forms of devices and tech to support a person with disabilities to live as independently as possible. In this week's episode, I have a great conversation with the Director of Enabling Technology, Milton Neuenschwander about how technology first is essential to providing successful services for individuals with disabilities. The state of Massachusetts has been at the forefront of this effort, and Milton shares some of the ways that technology has been integrated into their programs to make life easier for people with disabilities. He also stresses the importance of having champions in place from the state agency level who can help ensure that the technology is used in the most effective way possible and that people are benefitting from it. Let's dive in!

Milton Neuenschwander is the State of TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) Director of Enabling Technology as part of the Division of Program Innovation. He received his education at Wabash College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Science and holds continuing education certifications for Person-Centered Practices, Staff Development, and Enabling Technology Integration. He has 18 years of experience in the areas of intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health services with a proven understanding of the concepts of management, leadership, and technology. 

Key Highlights:

[00:01 - 07:09] Opening Segment

Milton introduces Enabling Technology and its mission How to provide funding, training, and education to support individuals to become more independent and empower them to have more control and build their independent living skills

[07:11 - 21:04] Supporting Nonprofits in Providing Accessible Housing

How Tenessee aims to integrate technology solutions into all parts of state services to provide a better quality of service How the state of Tennessee is working to address the housing accessibility crisis by looking at how to best support nonprofits that provide direct services How to reach out to other states to learn from their strategies and models for addressing the housing accessibility crisis

[21:04 - 27:51] The Division of Program Innovation

Milton shares the biggest lesson he learned from working with technology The importance of person-centered design when developing technology solutions, as it allows for more successful integration into people's lives. Champions are key in helping providers integrate technology or any other service into their services

[27:51 - 32:37] Closing Segment

Why technology has to be person-driven in order to be successful

Want to connect with Milton? Head to Enabling Technology, a resource, and clearinghouse for all of the information related to the DIDD’s program!

Key Quotes:

"We want to make sure that our services and those resources that are available across the state of Tennessee are assessable to people, not only in our services but also other people outside of our services with disabilities" - Milton Neuenschwander

"We are always looking at partnering with other state organizations that have our same goal in mind with helping people with disabilities, having more access to resources across their communities to make sure that they can build that independence." - Milton Neuenschwander

"Whenever you're considering technology, it has to be person-driven." - Milton Neuenschwander

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