Who We Are
About North Dakota Assistive
North Dakota Assistive is a non-profit organization that strives to bring assistive technology devices and services into the lives of North Dakotans and Minnesotans of all ages who need it. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between ability and disability using assistive technology.
North Dakota Assistive Staff: Front Row-Annette Goehring, Jeannie Krull, Mike Chaussee, Gerri Sarsten, Sheila Ellingson
Back Row-Roxanne Wells, Shannon Bozovsky, Tami Ternes, Pam Posey, Courtney Ness Fuchs
Our Background
North Dakota Assistive is a non-profit organization that was designated by the former Governor Ed Schafer as the implementing entity for the Statewide Assistive Technology Act Program in 1993. In addition, North Dakota Assistive is the implementing agency for several other state and federal contracts as described on this site.
North Dakota Assistive is governed by a Board of Directors and is provided program guidance through a Consumer Advisory Council. This council is made up of individuals and agency staff representing a range of ages, abilities, and regions of the state.
North Dakota Assistive services are supported by a variety of funding sources including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Community Living; the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Aging Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Divisions; the State of Minnesota, MN STAR; and private donations.
North Dakota Assistive actively seeks other funding sources and projects that fit our mission.
Board of Directors
North Dakota Assistive is governed by a Board of Directors including:
Dave Hanson – President
David Hanson is the former CEO of H2M advertising agency based in Fargo, ND. He is currently serving his second term on the board of directors.
Scott Bernstein – Vice President
Scott is currently working with Sparling Construction in Bismarck to advance a new division in universal design (GoUniversal). Its mission is to maximize independence using environmental modifications for the home and assistive technology including smart home and adaptive equipment. Prior to that, he worked in an assistive living facility for 15 years in Bismarck/Mandan and has taught area professionals about the effects of dementia on patients and caregivers.
Marcus Ulmer – Secretary/Treasurer
Marcus Ulmer works at Bravera Bank as the Retail Banking Supervisor for the central region. He has been with Bravera for more than 10 years in various positions including branch manager. Marcus is married, and has a young son, and a dog. He likes playing outside and hanging out at the lake cabin.
Lindsay Triplett
Lindsay Triplett serves as Strategic Project Manager at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, a regional healthcare provider serving over 200,000 residents in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. In this role, Lindsay collaborates with the System’s Board of Directors and executive leaders to develop goals and business strategies, oversees project governance for the System, and establishes standard project management methodology.
Janelle Stoneking
Janelle (Carlson) Stoneking grew up in Savage, MT and graduated from Savage High School in 1997. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Dickinson State University, as well as receiving an A.S. degree in Developmental Disabilities from Minot State University. Janelle has worked for ABLE, Inc. for over 20 years supporting people with disabilities and currently helps lead a residential program and is a staff trainer for the agency. She has dedicated her life to understanding people’s personal stories and helping advocate for change.
Amy Osvold
Amy is a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, employed with North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind since October 2007. Prior to that, she worked as a Human Resources/Staff Trainer with REM (an organization working with people with developmental disabilities) in North Dakota. She has also been a Financial Services Specialist with the State of Washington and a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist with Vocational Rehabilitation in Jamestown and Minot.
Milton Ota
Milton is currently an At-Large member of the National Federation of the Blind, a member of the Fargo Lions Club, sits on the North Dakota Lions Foundation Board of Directors, and is a District Vision Chair of the District 5NE Governor’s Cabinet, and a member of Temple Baptist Church. He is also an active member of ND Assistive’s Consumer Advisory Council.
Kathi Schwan
Kathi Schwan has a strong business, marketing, and community involvement background. She was the global director for Nokia – a global mapping company in Fargo. She is currently actively supporting the people of North Dakota as the volunteer state president at AARP North Dakota. She’s passionate about technology and its benefits for older North Dakotans.
Sean Cleary
Sean Cleary joined the staff at the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation in 2022 where he assists with grant writing and project management. He has broad experience in governmental affairs and public policy. He served on the staffs of Senator John Hoeven and Governor Doug Burgum where he focused on health and human services policy. He is married and has a young daughter.
Consumer Advisory Council
The purpose of the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) is to provide consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice for the planning of, implementation of, and evaluation of, the activities carried out through the Assistive Technology (AT) Act, including setting measurable goals.
Council's Mission
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- Is responsive to the consumer
- Includes persons with all disabilities and across all ages in every aspect of the program
- Seeks meaningful consumer involvement at all levels of the project
- Provides statewide access to assistive technology and services
- Addresses assistive technology issues involving all settings (home, work, school, community, and play)
- Collaboratively develops a long-range statewide plan for assistive technology in North Dakota
Council's Mission
-
- Is responsive to the consumer
- Includes persons with all disabilities and across all ages in every aspect of the program
- Seeks meaningful consumer involvement at all levels of the project
- Provides statewide access to assistive technology and services
- Addresses assistive technology issues involving all settings (home, work, school, community, and play)
- Collaboratively develops a long-range statewide plan for assistive technology in North Dakota
Council Activities
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- Advising North Dakota Assistive staff on whether the organizational services are meeting the needs of the people being served
- Provide viewpoints from other organizations, agencies, or constituents
- Provide liaison with regional community groups and other constituencies of North Dakota Assistive
- Provide financial or other advice
- Help foster good public relations
- Serve on committees or task forces for specific objectives
- Assist in outreach to under-represented groups in North Dakota
- Assist in the evaluation of the consumer-responsiveness of state project activities as well as of subcontractors and other public and private agencies and making recommendations for improvements
- Having influence with the legislature
- Identify barriers to providing assistive technology devices and services
Current Council Members
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- Ken Dockter, Grand Forks
- Jennifer Erickson, Fargo
- Lacey Long, Mandan
- Holly Major, Bismarck
- Charlene Ota, Fargo
- Sheryl Scioscia-Beard, Williston
- Jordan Wetzel, Bismarck
- Denise Stromme, Fargo
- Josie Uthke, Grand Forks
- Trevor Vannett, Bismarck
- Ryan Volk, Bismarck
- Maggie Williams, Bismarck
- Helen Baumgartner, Mandan
Other Ways ND Assistive Helps
Public Awareness
Part of ND Assistive’s mission is to educate people on the assistive technology devices and services that are available to them.
This includes providing information on:
- Funding options
- Policies and benefits that are available
- Devices and services available
- … and more!
Public Events
- We are available to speak about our program’s services or set up an exhibit for clubs, professional organizations, family support groups, and/or at local, regional, or statewide conferences throughout North Dakota and parts of Minnesota.
Public Events
- We are available to speak about our program’s services or set up an exhibit for clubs, professional organizations, family support groups, and/or at local, regional, or statewide conferences throughout North Dakota and parts of Minnesota.
Blog & Website
- Our website is packed with information and articles that we’ve written to provide the people we serve with the best tools for making decisions, learning new things, and even reading the stories of other people whose lives have been changed by assistive technology
Collaboration
ND Assistive is also here to help policymakers and leaders in state agencies, communities, hospitals, and disability networks make decisions or get a new understanding of disabilities and what assistive technology has to offer. Our expertise and focus on assistive technology ensure that we stay on top of exciting developments and changes that can benefit any organization.
Our collaboration efforts have come in many shapes and sizes. Contact us to learn more about how we can enhance your organization’s understanding and implementation of assistive technology devices and services.
For more information about scheduling a presentation or exhibit, please call and ask to speak with an Assistive Technology Consultant.