STAFF
AzTAP’s Director - Jill Sherman Pleasant, MA, OTR/L
jill.pleasant@nau.edu /
(602) 728-9536
Jill received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University and a Masters of Art degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She also earned a certificate in Assistive Technology Applications from California State University at Northridge. She has more than twenty-five years experience as an occupational therapist in a variety of healthcare and educational settings in Arizona, Florida, and New York, and has worked extensively with individuals of all ages having a wide range of disabilities. As a specialist in assistive technology, Jill is the director of AzTAP, a project of the Institute for Human Development at Northern Arizona University. She is also an adjunct instructor in the Occupational Therapy Program at the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa. Jill has presented at numerous international, national, regional and state conferences on assistive technology.
Outreach/Training Coordinator - Randy Collins
Randy.Collins@nau.edu / (602) 728-9533
Randy Collins has been the Outreach/Training Coordinator for Northern Arizona University’s Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) since 1999. Prior to AzTAP Randy was the Field Services Supervisor for North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. He is the former Parent Information Director for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine. He has also worked as an assistive technology trainer for California State Northridge’s National Assistive Technology Application Certificate Program.
Randy serves on the Governor’s Statewide Independent Living Council where he is a member of the public policy committee and founding chair of the sub committee for emergency services and disabilities. Randy has a M.Ed. in Deaf Education and an ABJ, Journalism). He has a certificate as a Hard of Hearing Specialist from the California School of Professional Psychology and a certificate in Assistive Technology Applications from California State University Northridge. Randy is a disabled Vietnam Veteran and has been wearing hearing aids since 1971.
Assistive Technology Specialist - Jeff L. Smith, OTR/L, ATP
Jeff.Smith@nau.edu / (602) 728-4667
Jeff is an occupational therapist and an assistive technology specialist. He has worked in the field of assistive technology for the last 8 years. Areas of special interest include switch and device mounting systems, home modification and work site evaluations.
He has a certificate in Assistive Technology Applications from California State University and received his ATP credential ( Assistive Technology Practitioner) from RESNA. As an occupational therapist with over 30 years experience, Jeff was worked with a wide variety of individuals with disabilities including spinal cord injury, CVA, arthritis and developmental disabilities.
Office Specialist, Sr. - Martha C. Lewis
Martha.Lewis@nau.edu / Phone: (602) 728-9534
Martha’s first post for Assistive Technology was as a secretary. After 4 years she decided to continue in the field of Assistive Technology and joined the Arizona Technology Access Program team for Northern Arizona University .
Martha has now been involved with assistive technology for 9 years. She continues to progress with customer service and has a passion to learn more about assistive technology and assistive technology services available to the public.
Assistive Technology Specialist - Clayton Guffey, MSW
Clayton.Guffey@nau.edu / Phone (602) 776-4699
Clayton joined AzTAP as an Assistive Technology Specialist in early 2007. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Sociology from NAU in 1994 and most recently, a Master of Social Work Degree from ASU in the fall of 2002.
Prior to coming to AzTAP Clayton was employed for 10 years as a Rehabilitation Counselor in Phoenix with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. During that time Clayton facilitated a case managed Independent Living (IL) program with the RSA that assisted individuals with significant disabilities to increase their independence and control over their lives.
Clayton has extensive experience working with individuals with disabilities to evaluate, determine and obtain assistive technology of all forms that could assist them in improving their capabilities and independence. His approach to service provision uses the paradigms of person centered planning and independent living philosophy. In addition to his duties at AzTAP, Clayton also serves as the Vice President for the Brain Injury Association of Arizona board of directors and is chair of their Program & Chapters Committee.
Pamela J. Alcala / Administrative Assistant
Pamela.Alcala@nau.edu / Phone: (602) 776-4670
Pamela joined the Institute for Human Development in 1993, working on various assistive technology-related programs. She joined the AzTAP team in 1997. Her prior work as a Client Representative in the health insurance field, in relation to medical and equipment needs, helped prepare her for work with disability-related issues and assistive technology. She is AzTAP’s point of contact for Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology (AzLAT) and the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (AzTEDP).
Pamela has studied American Sign Language and Deaf Culture for three years and is continuing her studies in Communication.
