Meetings

DakotaLink Advisory Council
Quarterly Zoom Meeting
Draft Meeting Notes
September 10th, 2024

The DakotaLink Advisory Council discussed the retirement of Gloria Pluimer and the departure of Jordan Trumbo to Minnesota. Jordan will continue her work with assistive technology in rehabilitation. The meeting covered the use of AI in assistive technology, including screen readers, predictive text, and cognitive assistance tools. Kendra highlighted the Whereabouts Film Festival and Jordan’s new role in private rehabilitation. The council elected Lyle as the new Member at Large. The state plan and annual progress report were discussed, with a focus on meeting deadlines and ensuring ethical AI use. The next meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2024.

Roll Call and Introductions

• Richard Moeller initiates the roll call, noting the difficulty in pronouncing names and seeking help from others.
• Page Hudson mentions the retirement of Gloria Pluimer and the absence of Blaine Jemming.
• Richard completes the roll call, noting the presence of Richard Moeller, Kendra Gottsleben, Jordan Trumbo, Sandy Neyhart, Sarah Rush, Kayla Kane, Lyle Cook, Molly Keating, Matt Cain, Amy Scepaniak, Konnie Ellis, Tana Zwart, Beth Schiltz, Brett Burden, Page Hudson. Absent: Bill McEntaffer, Blaine Jemming, Mary Sjerven
  
  

Assistive Technology and AI Usage

• Kendra Gottsleben discusses her use of assistive technology during college, including a scanner for books and Kurzweil laptop.
• Kendra explains her current role as a Marketing Communication Specialist and founder of a nonprofit called Whereabouts.
• She highlights the use of AI in her work, such as improving written content and social media posts.
• Kendra promotes the Whereabouts Film Festival, an event showcasing films with individuals who have disabilities or rare diseases.
  
  

Jordan Trumbo’s New Position

• Jordan Trumbo introduces her new position she has taken with the state of Minnesota.
• Jordan also teaches part-time at SDSU in the counseling program, where she has gained more interest in the private side of rehabilitation.
• She discusses her excitement about using AI to help individuals with work-related injuries regain independence and learn new skills.
• Jordan emphasizes the importance of universal design and assistive technology in everyday life, sharing personal anecdotes about her father’s use of assistive technology.
  
  

Nomination for Member at Large

• Page explains the role of the Member at Large, which includes helping design meeting agendas and topics.
• Lyle Cook nominates himself for the Member at Large position, and a vote is conducted, with Lyle being elected.
• Lyle is welcomed to the executive committee, and the meeting continues with old business.
  
  

AI and Disability

• Page reviews the previous meeting’s discussion on AI, including its subfields, key players, and applications in healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment.
• The conversation shifts to the use of AI in assistive technology, such as screen readers, predictive text, and augmentative communication apps.
• Page highlights the evolution of assistive technology, from expensive devices like DynaVox to more affordable solutions like iPads.
• The discussion includes the importance of policy, funding, and advocacy in ensuring the ethical use of AI and improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
  
  

Examples of AI in Assistive Technology

• Page provides examples of AI-driven assistive technologies, such as screen readers, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri.
• The conversation covers predictive text, augmentative communication apps like Proloquo2go, and AI-powered writing assistants like Grammarly.
• Page mentions image and object recognition tools like Seeing AI and Be My Eyes, which help visually impaired individuals.
• The discussion includes real-time captioning tools like Live Transcribe and Otter AI, and cognitive assistance programs like Cognitopia and CogniFit.
  
  

Additional AI Tools and Personal Experiences

• Konnie Ellis shares her experience with Be My Eyes, a free app that describes pictures and screens, and Be My AI, a desktop version with similar features.
• Konnie also mentions the use of Google Glasses for hands-free assistance, including translation and navigation.
• Richard interjects with a mention of Google’s grammar check and spell check features.
• The conversation highlights the increasing prevalence of AI in everyday life and its integration into various tools and devices.
  
  

State Plan and Annual Progress Report

• Page discusses the state plan due on September 30, which outlines objectives for the next three years.
• The state plan is module-based and requires finalization, with the fiscal year ending on December 31.
• Page explains the annual progress report, which includes aggregate data on clients, products, and advertising.
• The report is submitted to the state and federal government for approval, with no major issues in previous years.
  
  

Meeting Date and Adjournment

• Richard suggests setting the next meeting date, with a preference for afternoon meetings.
• The group agrees on December 5 at 2 PM Central Time for the next meeting.
• Richard calls for a motion to adjourn, which is seconded and approved by the group.