Judges for the
Simply Open Awards 2022
do the honors,
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Dr Margaret Bates
Programme Director for Occupational Therapy
Organization: Northeastern State University
Bio:
Margaret is an occupational therapist (OT) with 17+ years in practice. Having roots in rural practice, she understands the value of low/no-cost adaptations to support independence in everyday life. She values creativity, hard work, and perseverance in the face of adversity. As an OT, her core belief is that every individual deserves the opportunity to live life independently and to the extent of their abilities and dreams.
Margaret is an occupational therapist (OT) with 17+ years in practice. Having roots in rural practice, she understands the value of low/no-cost adaptations to support independence in everyday life. She values creativity, hard work, and perseverance in the face of adversity. As an OT, her core belief is that every individual deserves the opportunity to live life independently and to the extent of their abilities and dreams.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I am excited to see the extent of creative innovations one's innate desire for independence and quality of life promotes!
I am excited to see the extent of creative innovations one's innate desire for independence and quality of life promotes!
Roberta Sandri
Experienced Design Manager
Organization: The LEGO Foundation
Bio:
Roberta has worked for the Foundation since June 2020 creating engaging and meaningful learning through play experiences with and without LEGO bricks, aiming to build a future in which learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners.
Roberta has worked for the Foundation since June 2020 creating engaging and meaningful learning through play experiences with and without LEGO bricks, aiming to build a future in which learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I'm very passionate about the topic of contributing to a more inclusive and equitable world for all. It would be a great honour to be able to be a judge in these awards and help meaningful project come to life, making a concrete difference in how disability is perceived in the future.
I'm very passionate about the topic of contributing to a more inclusive and equitable world for all. It would be a great honour to be able to be a judge in these awards and help meaningful project come to life, making a concrete difference in how disability is perceived in the future.
Peter Horsley
Founder, Remarkable
Organization: Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Bio:
Peter is the Founder of Remarkable, the global startup venture arm of Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, whose mission is to harness tech and innovation to enable (all) human potential. Peter has 15 years experience across the disability sector.
Peter is the Founder of Remarkable, the global startup venture arm of Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, whose mission is to harness tech and innovation to enable (all) human potential. Peter has 15 years experience across the disability sector.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I'm excited to see the novel solutions designed by people with disability, that often come from a place of necessity. The really cool thing is that these solutions may just work for others around the world. Can't wait!
I'm excited to see the novel solutions designed by people with disability, that often come from a place of necessity. The really cool thing is that these solutions may just work for others around the world. Can't wait!
Glenda Sims
Director of Accessibility
Organization: Deque
Bio:
Glenda (the goodwitch) Sims is the Director of Accessibility at Deque, where digital equality is our mission, vision, and passion. She lives and breathes #a11y. Glenda is an advisor and co-founder of AccessU and served as the lead judge for AIR (Accessibility Internet Rally) for Knowbility.
Glenda (the goodwitch) Sims is the Director of Accessibility at Deque, where digital equality is our mission, vision, and passion. She lives and breathes #a11y. Glenda is an advisor and co-founder of AccessU and served as the lead judge for AIR (Accessibility Internet Rally) for Knowbility.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I'm thrilled to be a judge for the Simple Open Awards because accessibility competitions create a life long love of digital equality.
I'm thrilled to be a judge for the Simple Open Awards because accessibility competitions create a life long love of digital equality.
Aleksandra Melnikova
Director
Organization: Cosmic Velocity
Bio:
Over the past 15 years I’ve led design teams across London-based UX/product design agencies successfully delivering accessible digital products and services for companies like VISA, Lloyds, TSB, SKY, Aviva, VSO, GSK, British Airways and many others. I’m an advocate for inclusion and diversity in the most active way: by coming up with (and building) tools and services that open up participation to people from all walks of life.
Over the past 15 years I’ve led design teams across London-based UX/product design agencies successfully delivering accessible digital products and services for companies like VISA, Lloyds, TSB, SKY, Aviva, VSO, GSK, British Airways and many others. I’m an advocate for inclusion and diversity in the most active way: by coming up with (and building) tools and services that open up participation to people from all walks of life.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I love initiatives that have potential to change people's lives for the better, and this one sounds like it does, so it would be a great honour to help this process.
I love initiatives that have potential to change people's lives for the better, and this one sounds like it does, so it would be a great honour to help this process.
Godfrey Nanyenya
Disability Inclusion Advisor
Organization: N/A
Bio:
Ranked among the Top 40 impact makers under 40 years in Uganda, Godfrey Nanyenya has 7 years’ experience as a pioneer in the disability Inclusion space. Currently Godfrey works as a Disability inclusion Advisor at Light For the world international, His work involves coaching private and civil society actors to create enabling environments and mentoring young people with disabilities to fully access the job market.
Ranked among the Top 40 impact makers under 40 years in Uganda, Godfrey Nanyenya has 7 years’ experience as a pioneer in the disability Inclusion space. Currently Godfrey works as a Disability inclusion Advisor at Light For the world international, His work involves coaching private and civil society actors to create enabling environments and mentoring young people with disabilities to fully access the job market.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
To me it's not about Judging but adjudicating and rewarding the best.
To me it's not about Judging but adjudicating and rewarding the best.
Amber Tratter
Strategic Development Manager
Organization: Australian Network on Disability
Bio:
With a desire to do social good and a passion for equity, Amber works for the Australian Network on Disability to use her consulting skills to drive and empower organisations to make a difference. Amber designs national pioneering projects and theories of change to create lasting and sustainable impact in the
not-for-profit sector.
With a desire to do social good and a passion for equity, Amber works for the Australian Network on Disability to use her consulting skills to drive and empower organisations to make a difference. Amber designs national pioneering projects and theories of change to create lasting and sustainable impact in the
not-for-profit sector.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
An opportunity to support individuals to remove systemic barriers in order to create an inclusive and accessible society where everyone's human rights are upheld.
An opportunity to support individuals to remove systemic barriers in order to create an inclusive and accessible society where everyone's human rights are upheld.
Scarlett Ward-Bennett
Director of a publishing company
Organization: Fawn Press
Bio:
Scarlett is a disabled writer and poet living with Multiple Sclerosis in the UK. She runs a publishing company and advocates for MS awareness through her online content.
Scarlett is a disabled writer and poet living with Multiple Sclerosis in the UK. She runs a publishing company and advocates for MS awareness through her online content.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
My most recent MS relapse left me unable to walk, talk, read or swallow for a period of time, so it would be fantastic to support the communication section of the judging with the experience I have had, and to celebrate the genius of these hack.
My most recent MS relapse left me unable to walk, talk, read or swallow for a period of time, so it would be fantastic to support the communication section of the judging with the experience I have had, and to celebrate the genius of these hack.
Marie Oddoux
President - OT
Organization: M&M Braille Consulting
Bio:
With a background in occupational therapy, specialising in Braille and low vision, I have written children's books and touch-based learning methods.
Today, as a Braille expert for the LEGO Foundation, I am responsible for LEGO Braille Bricks pedagogical concept and its implementation.
With a background in occupational therapy, specialising in Braille and low vision, I have written children's books and touch-based learning methods.
Today, as a Braille expert for the LEGO Foundation, I am responsible for LEGO Braille Bricks pedagogical concept and its implementation.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I would be honoured to be jugging your awards, as I truly value anything that helps to reduce barriers or exclusion and promote inclusion.
I would be honoured to be jugging your awards, as I truly value anything that helps to reduce barriers or exclusion and promote inclusion.
Tamanna Miah
Various
Organization: N/A
Bio:
Tamanna holds many roles, as an award winning campaigner, public speaker, media spokesperson, facilitator, host, trainer, writer, mentor, and freelancer. A TEDx & WeDay Wembley Arena speaker with over 17 years experience working in many sectors youth, community, research, mental health, EDI, disability, political sector who has represented many organisations.
Tamanna holds many roles, as an award winning campaigner, public speaker, media spokesperson, facilitator, host, trainer, writer, mentor, and freelancer. A TEDx & WeDay Wembley Arena speaker with over 17 years experience working in many sectors youth, community, research, mental health, EDI, disability, political sector who has represented many organisations.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
Being a part of these awards, working with others, learning, recognising and sharing solutions across the disability community is more than rewarding - its life changing seeing people flourish and celebrated.
Being a part of these awards, working with others, learning, recognising and sharing solutions across the disability community is more than rewarding - its life changing seeing people flourish and celebrated.
Garrett Jaeger
Evidence Specialist
Organization: LEGO Foundation
Bio:
Garrett Jaeger, Ph.D. is an Evidence Specialist at the LEGO Foundation. He supports learning agendas across the Experiences & Facilitation team and our efforts via the LEGO Collaboration & Social Ventures. Put more clearly, Garrett co-creates ways to gather evidence from children’s Learning through Play without getting in their way! As a parent of two small children, getting out of their way is how he spends much of his time at home as well.
Garrett Jaeger, Ph.D. is an Evidence Specialist at the LEGO Foundation. He supports learning agendas across the Experiences & Facilitation team and our efforts via the LEGO Collaboration & Social Ventures. Put more clearly, Garrett co-creates ways to gather evidence from children’s Learning through Play without getting in their way! As a parent of two small children, getting out of their way is how he spends much of his time at home as well.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I have much to learn about inclusive education and seek inspiration from the creative solutions provided by those involved in this competition.
I have much to learn about inclusive education and seek inspiration from the creative solutions provided by those involved in this competition.
Marc Angelier
CEO
Organization: M&M Braille Consulting
Bio:
Fervent defender of braille, I travel the world to train practitioners and to make inclusive school for all a reality!
I am in charge of implementing LEGO Braille Bricks concept for the LEGO Foundation.
Fervent defender of braille, I travel the world to train practitioners and to make inclusive school for all a reality!
I am in charge of implementing LEGO Braille Bricks concept for the LEGO Foundation.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
This kind of award allows to highlight innovative projects concerning education, disability and inclusion. Something
I have always fought for! That's why I would be proud
to be judging!
This kind of award allows to highlight innovative projects concerning education, disability and inclusion. Something
I have always fought for! That's why I would be proud
to be judging!
Stephanie Cadeddu
Innovation analyst
Organization: N/A
Bio:
Stephanie received her doctorate in frugal innovation management at Swinburne University of Technology. Her PhD thesis focused on the frugal innovation process of Indonesian SMEs in the food, clean water and health sectors. Stephanie also co-contributed to the first WHO's Global Report on Assistive Technology to conceptualize frugal innovation with AT technologies and systems.
Stephanie received her doctorate in frugal innovation management at Swinburne University of Technology. Her PhD thesis focused on the frugal innovation process of Indonesian SMEs in the food, clean water and health sectors. Stephanie also co-contributed to the first WHO's Global Report on Assistive Technology to conceptualize frugal innovation with AT technologies and systems.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I'm excited to see the novel solutions designed by people with disability, that often come from a place of necessity. The really cool thing is that these solutions may just work for others around the world. Can't wait!
I'm excited to see the novel solutions designed by people with disability, that often come from a place of necessity. The really cool thing is that these solutions may just work for others around the world. Can't wait!
Micheal Tranquilli
Occupational Therapist
Organization: N/A
Bio:
Michael Tranquilli, MA, OTR/L, is a private practice Occupational Therapy clinician. A faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University, Michael recently collaborated with the Unilever company to launch Degree Inclusive, the world’s first deodorant designed for people with visual and upper extremity impairments.
Michael Tranquilli, MA, OTR/L, is a private practice Occupational Therapy clinician. A faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University, Michael recently collaborated with the Unilever company to launch Degree Inclusive, the world’s first deodorant designed for people with visual and upper extremity impairments.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
encouraging practical solutions with functional and meaningful impact for persons with impairments or disabilities.
encouraging practical solutions with functional and meaningful impact for persons with impairments or disabilities.
Anita Perr
Clinical Professor
Organization: Department of Occupational Therapy
Bio:
Anita Perr, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA Anita’s career focuses on helping people with disabilities participate in meaningful activities. She is a faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University, NY, NY and a founding director of the NYU Ability Project, an interdisciplinary space at the intersection of assistive technology and disability.
Anita Perr, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA Anita’s career focuses on helping people with disabilities participate in meaningful activities. She is a faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University, NY, NY and a founding director of the NYU Ability Project, an interdisciplinary space at the intersection of assistive technology and disability.
What does it mean to be judging the awards:
I see judging award as a way to encourage open design which can lead to increased participation by people with disabilities.
I see judging award as a way to encourage open design which can lead to increased participation by people with disabilities.