Hello, my name is Tamara Mariotti. Common values throughout my years of employment includes equity, inclusion, and respect when assisting people with disabilities. The social model of disability provides a civil rights approach to disability and looks at removing barriers that restrict life choices as opposed to the medical model of “fixing” the impairment. If modern life was set up in a way that was accessible for people with disabilities, then people with disabilities would not be excluded or restricted. Despite progression of laws such as the Americans with Disability Act, the attitudes and structures of society continues to challenge the lives of people with disabilities ability to participate in education, employment, and social experience.  My work intertwines the legal and valued principles of personal choice of people with disabilities to live barrier free.

Starting my career in corporate post-acute rehabilitation for people with brain injury, to a drastic move to non-profit civil rights agency, and currently coordinate the Office for Accessibility Resources (OAR) at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York has provided many years of opportunity. I have learned from the best, and most importantly those with disabilities.  Supporting teams to create Universal Designs for Learning (UDL) in the classroom, on-line learning platforms, or instructional design has become my personal preferred area of interest. I have developed procedures for open and closed captioning needs, descriptive videos, and enjoy working with assistive technology such as screen reading software to incorporate accessible website design. I have provided Assistive Technology evaluations in local school districts, and more recently I am a M.S. candidate in Instructional Design and Technology, anticipating graduation May 2020 from Bellevue University, Nebraska.

My career includes professional memberships with AHEAD (Association on Higher Education And Disability) and the New York State Disability Services Council (NYSDSC), past NYSDSC president 2013-2014. I was appointed the co-chair of the NY State Education Department (NYSED) Advisory Council for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education with co-chair NYSED Regent Christine Cea in 2014 to present. I am a board of directors’ member of RCIL – LIFE (Living Independently is for Everyone, Inc.) and active throughout NY State as an Advisory Board Member for NYS Transition Partners Buffalo, NY. Additionally, appointed to SUNY Disability Compliance Work Groups & Abilities Advisory Work Group for disability knowledge, legal and technology design expertise.

Awards include the MVCC 2017 Pride of the Hawk award, and the MVCC 2018 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for work involving LGBTQ and again in 2019 for work in disability inclusion and equity. I was the recipient of the NYSDSC Diversity & Advocacy Award presented June 2018 at the NYSDSC conference. I strive to dedicate efforts to create optimum organizations for higher education disability professionals across New York State and offer collaboration, learning and advocacy skills for students with disabilities, and institutions’ disability services providers.

I am available for instructional design consultation and evaluation of disability programs within businesses or education facilities. I strive to provide focused and reasonable consultation with recommendations regarding any barriers either socially, structurally, or physically, and what designs will modify those barriers. I provide my experience of disability knowledge and assistive technology to adapt programs (physically or digitally) to include independence, work or social outlets for people with disabilities. Just remember, people with disabilities do shop, work, and participate in this world.

Let me assist you!