Theme 2 Videos. Cultural Perspectives: Assistive Technology is Essential in the Lives of Many People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Assistive technology can support communication, mobility, learning, independence, and participation in community life. This theme explores the importance of assistive technology in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from their unique cultural perspectives and those of their families.
Augmentative and alternative communication, also known as AAC, is one type of assistive technology. AAC supports people with complex communication needs when speaking is hard or not possible.
Why This Topic Matters
There is limited published literature and promising practice that centers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who use assistive technologies across the lifespan. This is especially true for the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of AAC.
Assistive technology is most effective when it reflects the culture, language, routines, and goals of the person using it. When these tools fit a person's life, they can expand choice, strengthen relationships, support self-advocacy, and increase participation across home, school, work, and community settings.
Read the Topic Guide
Read the Guide: Assistive Technology is Essential in the Lives of Many People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
This web-based guide includes key definitions, cultural considerations, reflection questions, and references related to assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication, culture, language, and access.
Watch the Videos
Note on videos: Audio and captions are available in multiple languages. Use the gear icon in the video player to choose your language.
Topic Video
Cultural Perspectives: Assistive Technology is Essential in the Lives of Many People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Featuring: Bob, Renee, and Mary
Assistive technology can support communication, learning, mobility, independence, self-advocacy, and participation in daily life. This video highlights augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the barriers many people face in accessing the tools and support they need. It emphasizes that assistive technology must reflect a person's culture, language, environment, and changing needs across the lifespan.
Personal Story Videos
Screening with Oscar
Featuring: Oscar, Vivian, and Ray
Oscar uses filmmaking and interviews to connect with people, build relationships, and share stories. What began during the isolation of the pandemic grew into documentary projects that support Oscar's communication, creativity, independence, and community participation. His story shows how technology can become more than a tool - it can open doors to friendship, learning, travel, and purpose.
Finding My Voice
Featuring: Jeanette and Marilyn
Jeanette shares how using an augmentative and alternative communication device has helped her express herself more fully, build independence, and be treated as the adult she is. With support from Marilyn, Jeanette's story shows how assistive technology can expand communication, relationships, self-advocacy, and participation in everyday life.
About the Speakers and Storytellers
Renee Charlifue-Smith
Renee Charlifue-Smith, MA, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and has been affiliated with JFK Partners, Colorado’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, since 1990. She serves as Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Training Co-Director, Speech-Language Pathology Discipline Director, DEI Director, and ENRICH Early Intervention Team Director. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Colorado Denver and an Office of Special Education Programs Early Childhood Intervention Doctoral Consortium scholar, with a focus on policy, research, leadership, and education for infants and young children with high-intensity support needs and their families. Her work focuses on early childhood assessment and intervention, inclusion, teaming, leadership, and support for children with high-intensity support needs and their families.
Vivian Ducat
Vivian Ducat is the mother of Oscar Segal and Hugo Segal and is married to Ray Segal. Professionally, she is a BBC-trained documentary film director and writer with 30 years of experience making films for television, museums, cultural institutions, websites, and other media. Her work includes the feature documentary All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert. Oscar often accompanied Vivian to screenings and festivals, where he developed an interest in documentary storytelling and filmmaking.
Jeanette Figueroa
Jeanette Figueroa is a Puerto Rican woman who takes pride in living her best life. She lives in a supportive apartment in the Bronx and has decorated her home to reflect her own style. Jeanette has mild oral dysphagia, which can affect the clarity of her speech, and she uses a Dynavox device to support communication. She enjoys spending time with peers, visiting family and friends, and shopping.
Mary McMillan
Mary McMillan has built a life of service, compassion, and care. She is a retired supervisor from the New York City Human Resources Administration, where she helped families and individuals access essential resources. She also owned and operated daycares and later worked as a home health aide. Mary’s greatest role is being a devoted mother to Latavia, and her leadership, advocacy, and care continue to reflect her commitment to supporting others.
Oscar Segal
Oscar Segal is an autistic filmmaker and interviewer who created The Oscar Show and continues to build his independent life. Born and raised in New York City, Oscar has lived in his own apartment for many years and has worked at Shake Shack for nearly a decade. He participates in research projects with universities and organizations, using filmmaking, interviews, and storytelling to connect with people and share his perspective.
Ray Segal
Ray Segal is an archival producer and rights and clearances specialist with credits including PBS’s American Experience: Hawaii’s Last Queen, New York: A Documentary, and Asian Americans. He has supported research-heavy media for PBS, WNET, A+E, and the New-York Historical Society. Ray is also the parent of Oscar Ducat Segal, an autistic filmmaker featured in this video series. He values media that expand public understanding of disability and celebrate individual voices.
Bob Williams
Bob Williams is Policy Director at Communication FIRST and Co-Director of Advancing Independence: Modernizing Medicare and Medicaid, a forum that advances policy reforms to enhance the independence of Americans with disabilities. He has worked for more than 40 years to advance the rights, opportunities, and supports for children, working-age adults, and older adults with significant disabilities. His work has included creating community living services in Washington, DC; helping pass the Americans with Disabilities Act; and administering federally funded developmental disabilities and independent living networks. Born with cerebral palsy, Bob brings lived experience, policy expertise, and a deep commitment to communication equity and independent living.