About the Team Members - Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team of Mobile, Alabama

Member Biographies

Picture of girls

Some information about the Team - Latest update December 31, 2008

President

Name: Robert M. Perry
Occupation: Rehabilitation Engineer, Retired
Interests: Photography I, Photography II, Drawings, Rush Limbaugh, SpongeBob

Robert joined the U.S. Army in 1971 and served as a helicopter turbine engine repairman and later as a helicopter pilot for seven years. After becoming disabled in a helicopter crash -- Robert, with the loving support of his wife Marcelle, earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Alabama. Robert has recently retired after 19 years of field experience in rehabilitation technology working with the Adult and Children's Rehabilitation Services in the Mobile area. Robert is practiced in the areas of computer access, recreation, accessibility, transportation, and augmentative communication. Robert has designed and sought funding for over twenty wheelchair accessible playgrounds in the Mobile area. As the president of The Children’s Rehabilitation Engineering Team of Mobile, Robert has maintained a network of rehabilitation professionals resulting in numerous successful applications of technology to adults and children with disabilities. Robert is a deacon and 1st grade teacher at the Creekwood Church of Christ. Robert is now involved with a consulting business Disability Advocacy & Solutions, LLC.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, President
Alumni Initiate of the Gamma Phi chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of South Alabama
Independent Living Center Team of Directors
Mobile Area Mayor's Advisory Commission for the Disabled

Secretary & Treasurer

Name: Lori Montgomery
Occupation: Administrative Assistant, Adult Vocational Rehabilitation Service

Lori Montgomery born June 15, 1956 and is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters Tiffany and Natalie. I also have one granddaughter the love of my life, Bailey Alyse'. I am an employee of the State of Alabama for 15-years. I have worked for the Department of Mental Health, Searcy Hospital for one year and with the Department of Rehab Services 14-years. I currently work with the Business Relations Consultant department as an ASA II. I also work as Contract Job Developer for Mobile Association for the Blind assisting people with disabilities in finding employment. I have my own Printing business from home, Montgomery & Company. I have served on the Team of the Children’s Rehab Engineering Team 5-years as Treasurer/Secretary. I enjoy serving on this Team and have so much respect for the men and women that work with children and adults with disabilities. Under the leadership and guidance of the Founder/President, Mr. Robert Perry, this organization has served so many people that otherwise may not have received the assistance required to have a quality of life and just simply help to ease the burdens of our consumers and their families. I consider it a privilege and honor to serve on this Team.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Secretary & Treasurer
Singer, Voices of Faith Music Ministry
President, Friendship Mass Choir

Team Member

Name: Lynn Krueger
Occupation: Disability Program Navigator, Mobile Association for the Blind

Lynn is currently a Disability Program Navigator for 10 southwestern Ala. Counties. Working in the career centers to support and advocate for People With Disabilities (PWD) gaining employment through the Alabama Career System.

My background is biased for PWD. For 25 years, I served PWD via employment as a Rehabilitation Counselor and Community Rehabilitation Program Specialist. Then, I worked for the Enabling Resources, a durable medical equipment recycling program in Mobile and 5 years as Rehabilitation Program Director for Mobile Association for the Blind.

My personal belief "PWD have the right to know, even if they do not have the right to get." A person should know and comprehend, based on their abilities to understand before they can adequately decide for themselves.

The Children's Engineering Team is often able to help a person or parent bridge the gap between knowing and having. In the process of helping someone understand what they are asking for, we can help them make an informed choice.

I'm proud to serve with the fine folks on our Team and contribute where I can.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Team Member
Mobile Advisory Commission for the Disabiled - voluntary subcommittee chairman
Region 9 Workforce Development Commission, Preparing Adult Learners subcommittee contributor.
NADS partner

Team Member

Name: Katherine Hastings
Occupation: Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Baldwin County
Interests: Art, traveling

Katherine Hastings graduated from Plymouth State College and began working as a caseworker for the Department of Family Services. After moving to Tallahassee, Florida with her husband and sons, Katherine worked for the federal project, the Right to Read. The project served handicapped adolescents placed in foster care as well as adults trying to achieve basic literacy skills. Katherine graduated from nursing school in 1976 and began working for United Cerebral Palsy as the registered nurse on a transdisplinary team. In 1980, Katherine graduated from Florida State University with M. Ed specializing in visually disabilities. During her studies she earned the Louis Braille Award for Braille proficiency. She also worked in the whole language pilot study as a graduate student.

Katherine moved to Fairhope, Alabama and began her teaching career in Mobile County. She worked for The Southwest Regional School for the Deaf and Blind over 10 years as a self-contained classroom teacher and resource teacher for mainstream visually impaired high school students. Katherine specialized in reading instruction and received advanced training in literacy instruction at the Regional School. Katherine also served on the Team of the Eastern Shore Literacy Council and trained reading tutors for that community agency.

Katherine became interested in technology to help handicapped children and adults reach their academic potentional. She graduated from the TSPAT courses sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education. She has also earned her basic competency certification in assistive technology from RYIATT and advanced training in assistive technology assessment. Katherine has recently retired and plans on traveling.

Katherine has served as Team member on CRET for over 10 years. Katherine and Robert Perry have written several grants together for visually impaired students in Baldwin County and designed an adaptive abacus for the multi-handicapped.

Memberships:
Alabama Education Association
National Education Association
Member of the Training Team for the Eastern Shore Literacy Council
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Team Member

Team Member

Name: Michael Collins
Occupation: Wheelchair Repairman with ADRS

Michael Earl Collins, age 52, born with Cerebral Palsy received a Social Worker degree from S.D. Bishop in 1978. In 1977 I became the first ever Handicapped Eagle Scout in the state of Alabama and the United States, for this I received a letter from President Gerald R. Ford. I have served on the Alabama Development Disability Council for a total of 18 year. Mr. Collins has been a member of Alabama Civitan Research Team for the past nine years.

Currently, Mr. Collins is employ by the Department of Rehab Serves in Mobile, Al., he is in charge of running the Tech Center, where used medical equipment is taken in, refurbished, and provided to people who can’t afford it. Mr. Collins is a trained technician with 27 years of experience in Durable Medical Equipment.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Team Member Alabama Development Disability Council Alabama Civitan Research Team

Team Member

Name: Diana Collins
Occupation: Registered Nurse with Mobile County Public School System
Interests: Helping children. Diana & her husband Jerry have three children. She is loved by everyone she works with.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Team Member

Team Member

Name: Stephen Sullivan
Occupation: Program Coordinator, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB)

Stephen earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in special education from the University of South Alabama in 1990. He worked for several years with adults who have disabilities at the Independent Living Center of Mobile. He also taught in a self-contained classroom setting for the Mobile County Public School System.

Stephen has worked for the past 14 years as a program coordinator at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) regional center in Mobile. He has spent a large amount of this time developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and training related to the application of assistive technology in a variety of contexts. Legally blind himself, Stephen has personal experience in living with a disability and understands the importance of being able to adapt.

Fall semester 2004 Stephen began working on a Master’s degree in Instructional Design at USA. He has concentrated his efforts in the program on developing instructional and learning strategies that will address the needs of the masses with the flexibility to give all students an opportunity to engage in meaningful learning. Stephen has also been a member of the IDD student group since 2004 serving as Vice President 2005 – 2006, and President 2006 – 2007.

Stephen and his wife Staci have four young children Phillip, Lauren, George, and Vann. They have been married for seven years and live in West Mobile. Stephen also plays guitar, keyTeam, and sings with a local trio.

Check out his web site Assistive Technology Wizard

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Team Member

Team Member

Name: Cyndi Thompson

Cyndi grew up in Baldwin County and graduated from the University of Athens in North Alabama with a degree in Psychology. In 1990 she worked in a Christian Adolescent Psychiatric unit in North Alabama before joining the Baldwin County Regional Juvenile Detention Center in 1992 as a Detention Worker Supervisor. In 1996 she was appointed by the Baldwin County Commission as the Director of the Juvenile Detention Center where she served until December of 2003. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004 she worked for FEMA doing door to door counseling for the hurricane survivors in Baldwin County. In 2005 she began working for Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast where she served as a Program Manager, GED Proctor and Social Services Coordinator for the physically challenged and helping those in need in the local community. In May of 2008 she resigned her position with Goodwill Easter Seals to move to China with her husband Gary and daughter Grace. Currently Cyndi is back in the United States and is volunteering for several organizations in Mobile and Baldwin Counties to include Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast, Childrens Rehabilitation Engineering Team and the Phi Mu Fraternity Alumni.

Team Member

Name: Fran Dodd
Occupation: Multi-Disabled Teacher at the Regional School for the Deaf & Blind

Team Member

Name: Polly Jones
Occupation: Independent Living Specialist with ADRS

Team Member

Name: Dr. Jerry Oveson & Family
Occupation: Director, Individual & Family Support

Dr. Oveson is a retired dentist that has dedicated his life to helping people with disabilities.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team, Team Member

Team Member

Name: Susan Polizzi
Occupation: Coordinator, Individual & Family Support Council

Team Member

Name: Jo Blount
Occupation: TBI Caseworker with the Children's Rehabilitation Service

Team Member

Name: Jeanette Morgan
Occupation: Homebound Teacher, Mobile County
See Jeanette's web site Morgan's Favorites.

Memberships:
Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team

Team Member

Name: Jamie Harwell
Occupation: Homebound Teacher, Mobile County

Team Member

Name: Penny Strickland
Occupation: Parent of three beautiful girls