Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Location:
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Webinar Details:
Title: Design, Build, Empower: Your Guide to DIY AT
Speaker: Christina Maragioglio-Esposito, MS, ATP, RET, Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP, RET, & Jessica Smith
Pricing: Free for RESNA members; $45 for non-members
Abstract:
Do-it-yourself (DIY) assistive technology (AT) has immense potential to bridge critical gaps in accessibility and empower individuals with disabilities to make their voices heard. However, navigating the landscape of DIY AT can be daunting for community-based “makers”, service providers looking for accessible solutions for clients, and individuals seeking personalized solutions themselves. This session introduces a guide developed by the RESNA Maker Special Interest Group, designed to make DIY AT more approachable for these specific demographics.
Our interactive presentation will include a review of this resource and will give participants the opportunity to provide feedback, walk through case studies, and receive clear direction on ways to begin cultivating a culture of making in their communities. The guide being presented is aimed to demystify the DIY AT process, beginning by establishing foundational knowledge of assistive technology as well as offering clear definitions of relevant terms, key stakeholders, and common service delivery models. Other topics, such as when to use DIY solutions as compared to commercially available options, are also covered. To demonstrate this process, case studies are included that showcase real-world examples of successful DIY AT projects, detailing the entire process from identifying a need, to iterating, and implementing a solution. Participants will also have the opportunity to propose their own case studies to the group during the session for feedback from the Maker SIG team and other audience members.
Participants in this session will not simply receive information; they will actively engage with the guide's content through interactive exercises and discussions. Our goal is to equip attendees with tangible takeaways, enabling them to confidently initiate and support DIY AT initiatives within their respective workplaces and communities. By sharing this resource and its practical application, we aim to empower participants to take steps towards improving accessibility in their communities through user-centered design.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify three key considerations for determining when DIY assistive technology is a more appropriate solution than commercially available options.
- Recommend three or more specific resources from the guide's appendix that could support a new DIY assistive technology initiative in their community or workplace.
- Describe two or more effective strategies for fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders is the DIY assistive technology creation process.
This webinar is currently under review by RESNA’s Education Committee for 0.1 IACET CEUs.
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Presenter Bios
Christina Maragioglio-Esposito, MS, ATP, RET
Christina Maragioglio-Esposito, MS, ATP, RET is on a mission to help establish educational equity through the use of technology. As the Director of Technology and Learning at Da Vinci Collaborative, she coordinates and delivers assistive technology services for a variety of school districts across Long Island, NY. By partnering with students, parents, and schools, Christina assists in providing access to new technologies and training on their use both inside and outside the classroom. Christina has a
BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, during which she focused on the design of assistive technology. From her engineering background, Christina also enjoys 3D printing and accessible design, as well as bringing her unique perspective and problem-solving strategy into the education space.
Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP, RET
Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP, RET has been in the AT industry for over 25 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on Rehabilitation Engineering. Antoinette has worked in government, non-profit, and private settings providing the full breadth of assistive technology solutions to people with disabilities ranging from ALS to learning disabilities. Antoinette is the Founder and Lead AT Consultant for ImproveAbility, based in Austin, TX.
Jessica Smith
I’m Jessica Smith. I have autism and I work a lot with Assistive Technology. I make communication boards for first responders and therapists. I’ve made the first responder boards since I was in 10th grade and they are in multiple police departments around the country. I especially enjoy working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication and making things for communication.