Our Trainers
Therese Willkomm
Dr. Willkomm is the Director of the New Hampshire State Assistive Technology Program (ATinNH) at the Institute on Disability and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of New Hampshire. In addition, Dr. Willkomm is the coordinator of the Disability Studies Minor. She has been providing and managing assistive technology services for over 28 years in the areas of home, school, and worksite modifications for persons with disabilities. She is known nationally for her work in rural rehabilitation and is referred to as “The MacGyver of Assistive Technology.” Dr. Willkomm has presented in 38 states, five foreign countries, and three U.S. territories and authored 22 publications including her most recent book titled “Make a Difference Today-Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.”
Dan Herlihy
Dan has been in the education field for over 24 years working in wilderness programs for at-risk students, in special education classrooms, and as a private consultant providing training and professional development to school systems. He is also an Intellitools Training Specialist. He presents nationally on numerous topics including creating access on the fly, working with high and low incidence disabilities, creating accessible test, quiz and alternate assessment activities, and more. He has written numerous books and articles on technology integration, as well as producing CD’s of education activities for students. His expertise is in taking diverse technologies and connecting them together to provide solutions for access to the curriculum.
Nicole Finch
Nicole Finch received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of New Hampshire in May 2011. She is currently pursuing her graduate certificate in assistive technology from UNH. As part of her graduate assistantship, Ms. Finch worked with Therese Willkomm, PhD, ATP, who is known nationally and internationally as “The McGyver” of Assistive Technology. In this role, Ms. Finch provided assistive technology education and training to individuals, rehabilitation professionals, and educators. Training sessions focused on the use of the iPad for individuals of all abilities were developed and provided to professors and students within the education department at UNH, as well as professionals at The Institute on Disability/UCED, Wentworth-Douglas Hospital, and East Kingston Elementary School.
Phyllis Watson
Phyllis Watson, CCC-SLP, a staff member of ATECH Services at Crotched Mountain, is a speech-language pathologist and augmentative and alternative communication specialist with more than 25 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with severe disabilities in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, developmental day programs, and public schools. She has also taught courses at several universities and has presented at local and national conferences.
Cynthia Yetman
Cynthia has been a public school educator for 32 years, serving the past 25 as the Director of Educational Technology for public schools in Amesbury, Massachusetts. She holds a master’s in education focusing on instructional technology from Lesley University, and she completed the graduate certificate in assistive technology from the University of New Hampshire. She is a member of the adjunct faculty at Salem State, is a successful grant writer, and serves as president of the Amesbury chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.
Diana Petschauer
Diana is a nationally-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) with over 12 years’ experience in special education and disability support services from kindergarten through post-secondary education. Through the NH Department of Education, she currently serves as Accessible Instructional Materials Service Provider and Audiobooks coordinator. Prior to her appointment with the state, Diana worked as the Assistive Technology Specialist at Disability Services for Students at the University of New Hampshire. Diana is the owner of Assistive Technology for Education, LLC, providing AT evaluations, consultations, recommendations, training, and professional development to students, school districts, and educational institutions in New England.
Shannon Fitch
Shannon holds an M.Ed. in early childhood education with special needs option and completed the graduate certificate in assistive technology, both from the University of New Hampshire. She has worked in respite care and child care, and completed her internship in a public inclusive preschool program.