Meet the Staff
Heather Bridgman
Regional Consultant
Heather Bridgman MS, ATP, ADS is an Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials Specialist with the AT&AEM Center at OCALI. is a rehabilitation engineer and has worked in both the medical and educational environments. Her specialties include computer access, augmentative communication, online learning, and digital accessibility. She has a master’s degree in systems engineering with a concentration in rehabilitation as well as a teaching license in high school mathematics. She is certified as a RESNA Assistive Technology Professional, an IAAP Accessible Document Specialist, and teaches AT courses at Ashland University. Recent projects include supporting ongoing development of SIFTS (Student Inventory for Technology Support) which is an AT feature-matching tool and the online modules known as ATIM (Assistive Technology Internet Modules). She is also a co-author of the book, Show Me: A Teacher’s Guide to Video Modeling.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-0343
Email: heather_bridgman@ocali.org
Augusta Fisher
Project Assistant
Augusta Fisher, B.A., is a Project Assistant for the AT&AEM Center at OCALI. Augusta supports and manages a wide range of activities for the AT&AEM Center. She leads the center’s social media accounts, manages listserv communications, and provides technical oversight for website updates with a strong focus on accessibility. Augusta provided project management for the Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST) grant, overseeing day-to-day operations, training coordination, budget management, and communications throughout the grant’s duration. Additionally, Augusta coordinates consultant contracts, processes center invoices, and offers essential administrative and management support across all center initiatives.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1042
Email: augusta_fisher@ocali.org
Jennifer Govender
AT&AEM Specialist
Jen Govender, M.Ed., is an Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials Specialist with the AT&AEM Center at OCALI. Jen brings extensive experience as an early intervention specialist, assistive technology specialist, and teacher of students with visual impairments. Jen’s diverse background has shaped her into a knowledgeable and empathetic educator who is deeply committed to supporting each student's individual goals, needs, and interests. Through her work, she collaborates with educators and families to ensure students and individuals receive the tools and resources necessary to thrive in their home, school, and community.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-401-2894
Email: jennifer_govender@ocali.org
Kelly Houston
Project Assistant
Kelly Houston is a Project Assistant implementing the operation of the AT&AEM Center's delivery system of accessible educational materials (AEM) to Ohio school districts. She manages the annual Federal Quota Registration of Legally Blind Students on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children, resulting in Federal Quota Funds for AEM for Ohio students. She maintains the AT&AEM Clearinghouse of braille, digital, and large print textbooks and educational aids for loan to eligible students. Kelly serves on the AT&AEM Federal Quota Committee and provides technical assistance related to AEM. She also assists with data collection for the AT&AEM Center.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1039
Email: kelly_houston@ocali.org
Shelley Mack
AT & AEM Braille Consultant
Shelley Mack, B.S., M.Ed. is a retired Teacher of the Visually Impaired and a Library of Congress (NLS) Certified Braille Transcriber (Literary). She previously served as an instructor for the Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST) Grant, leading summer braille courses and facilitating workshops. Shelley continues to provide braille literacy courses, workshops, and consultation through the AT&AEM Center. Her areas of expertise include braille, large print, accessible materials, assistive technology, and classroom support for students with visual impairments.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1042
Email: shelley_mack@ocali.org
Erica Chambers
AT&AEM Specialist
Erica Chambers, M.Ed., is an Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials Specialist with the AT&AEM Center at OCALI. Erica is a graduate of the University of Toledo and brings 20 years of experience in the public-school setting. She has worked as a teacher of students with visual impairments and most recently served as the Special Education Coordinator for the Visual Impairment Program. Erica was also an active member of the Assistive Technology team at Columbus City Schools, where she collaborated on AT assessments and supported the integration of technology to enhance accessibility and learning. She's passionate about exploring emerging assistive technologies and creating innovative, accessible materials.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-2902
Email: erica_chambers@ocali.org
Katie Robinson
AEM Production Specialist
Katie Robinson works at the AT&AEM Center at OCALI in the Accessible Materials Production department and has worked in the field for 15 years, producing materials in braille and large print. Katie holds an Associate's Degree in Computer Networking Systems Administration. She is a Certified Literary Braille transcriber in both EBAE and UEB. Katie serves on the Transcriber and Educator committee and the Accessibility Committee for the National Braille Association. She also serves as a Board member for the Center for Disability Empowerment. Katie speaks to university students about her experiences as a disabled person in the education system and is an active disability advocate.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1045
Email: katie_robinson@ocali.org
Judy Siens
Project Assistant
Judy Siens implements the AT&AEM Center's delivery system of accessible educational materials (AEM) to Ohio school districts. She administers the annual Federal Quota Registration of Legally Blind Students for the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, generating Federal Quota Funds for AEM for Ohio students. She maintains the AT&AEM Clearinghouse of braille, digital, and large print textbooks and educational aids available for loan to eligible students. Judy participates on and serves as the secretary of the AT&AEM Federal Quota Committee and provides technical assistance related to AEM to Ohio School Districts.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1041
Email: judy_siens@ocali.org
Stacy Springer
AT&AEM Center Program Director
Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP, is the Program Director for the AT&AEM Center at OCALI. Stacy leads initiatives that enhance access to assistive technologies and accessible educational materials across Ohio and beyond. She has over 20 years’ experience as a special educator, occupational therapist, and assistive technology professional. Her career includes leadership in multiple school districts, state-level roles, university instruction, and consultation across five states, along with contributions to international projects and published work on disability adaptations. Stacy collaborates with local and national educational organizations to advance accessibility. Her work is also focused on integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and multi-tiered support systems (MTSS) into educational frameworks. Stacy was an inaugural mentor for the Joy Zabala Fellowship in AT&AEM. She currently serves as an ATIA Strand Advisor and is a member of the Quality Indicators of Assistive Technology (QIAT) Leadership Team.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-0736
Email: stacy_springer@ocali.org
Mary Jo Wendling
AT Consultant
Mary Jo Wendling is an occupational therapist with over 35 years experience in pediatrics, having worked in various clinical and educational settings. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University. Since 1990, she has specialized in assistive technology. Mary Jo is the manager of the Toy and Technology Library at Nisonger Center UCEDD at The Ohio State University and works for the Dublin City School District, where she is a member of the AT team. Mary Jo has given numerous presentations, trainings and guest lectures on the topics of access, software, assistive technology, adapted toys and switches for curriculum access and modification. She provides technical assistance for the assistive technology lending library at OCALI and also participates in special projects.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1042
Email: mary_jo_wendling@ocali.org
Jerry Whittaker
AT Consultant
Jerry Whittaker, M.A., is an AT Consultant with over 40 years of experience specializing in technologies for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. He has worked in public schools as a speech and language pathologist, and was a consultant at the East Central Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center (currently known as State Support Team 12), ORCLISH (currently known as OCALI) and CISAM (currently known as the AT&AEM Center). Jerry provides technical assistance and professional development for districts around Ohio. He has presented at local, state, and national conferences and has developed numerous supports and products to aid in the production of braille and large print.
Contact Information:
Phone: 614-410-1042
Email: jerry_whittaker@ocali.org