Community Spotlight: Sandy Hanebrink

Hello, I am Sandy Hanebrink, OTR/L, CLP, FAOTA, PLY. I am an occupational therapist and the Executive Director of Touch the Future Inc. I am the chair of the DAPR Community Advisory Committee. My work centers around disability rights, assistive technology, and ensuring the lived experience and inclusion is embedded authentically by design in all facets of life. I have been involved in several different university research initiatives from developing inclusive project designs to recruiting qualified lived experience advisory members and research participants as well as a clinical researcher.

Tell us about your background

I am a disability advocate and Paralympic medalist with multiple records in multiple sports. My advocacy work expands from local to international with much focus on systems change, accessibility, and inclusion. I brought these skills and connections with me when I decided to become an occupational therapist. I received my occupational therapy degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. In my Level II Fieldwork, I spent 15 weeks working and learning at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in the Multicultural Affairs Program. One of my assignments was to build additional diverse networks and a coalition of these networks which is now known as the MDI Network which includes 7 unique organizations. I am one of the founders and Chair of the Network of OT Practitioners with Disabilities & Supporters. This was shortly after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act which stimulated the work to ensure access and inclusion, policy and procedure changes, and to begin trying to shift the medical model to include the social model. There was also much work to try to diversify the workforce to mirror the society being served.

From these initial efforts, opportunities have presented that enabled me to bring the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and AOTA together as National Alliance Partners and serve as the ATIA Strand Advisor for over 10 years. I also serve as an Advisory Committee Member to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, G3ict Neuro-Abilities Committee and Organizing Committee for the G3ict M-Enabling Summit ensuring accessibility and inclusion and the experiences of disabled individuals are included by design. Much of the current work looks at digital access, smart communities, device access, innovative technologies like exoskeletons, BCI and iBCI, and AI and the impacts on individuals with disabilities.

I also consult with technology companies to design exoskeletons both medical and commercial, and iBCI ensuring that engineers and developers from the beginning are using those individuals who they are designing the products for and the service providers who will be supporting the users as part of the processes from design to scale. I have also worked on developing new rehabilitation assessment tools specifically for digital access and part of a team to try to get Practice Frameworks to include digital access inclusive of current and emerging technologies and differing functional access and considering the diversity of diagnoses. I am honored to be selected as a member and to serve on the OT Leaders and Legacies Society Board allowing the opportunity to serve and network with many distinguished leaders of the occupational therapy profession across the country.

These experiences and other roles I have had have helped me to develop a vast network and fill a niche to support others as they develop research, technologies, treatment approaches, programs, and services that authentically are inclusive of and accessible and usable by individuals with the lived experiences by design.

What sparked your interest in data science, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence?

My interest has been sparked because there are very limited data and designs that include the lived experience. Most is still being driven by an ableist medical model that is doing “for” the disabled without considering what people want or need based on their personal lived experiences and goals. Often these data systems are also not accessible to users with disabilities. I want to ensure the data is inclusive, accessible and usable by all. AI is a powerful tool, when used correctly, can positively increase opportunities for people with disabilities and others, aid in treatment, and allow people to access more resources faster. Unfortunately, there are many ethical concerns including the accuracy of using AI in data analysis as errors can mean the wrong intervention or treatment which could result in medical complications, loss of function or death. AI also is used to exclude and deny care. My interest is to ensure discrimination, errors, and unethical design and use are not detrimental to any person or group and are minimized. I believe we have a moral and ethical obligation to get it right from the beginning and not as an afterthought.

What are you most excited about DAPR?

DAPR by design is inclusive of those with the lived experience. It is not a check-the-box and move on project. The team and community have been responsive to feedback, and the Community Advisory Committee is built with qualified individuals with lived experience including those who are rehabilitation professionals, researchers, and policy specialists. I think this uniquely sets DAPR apart.

Is there anything on the horizon of rehabilitation and AI that you are especially looking forward to?

The global effort to grow the possibilities of AI and to establish policies to ensure ethical use are a huge priority that are being addressed by major stakeholders, developers, states, and disability groups together. This united coalition is exciting, and I believe will help build a framework that ensures success and possibilities to improve lives without leaving people out, especially people with disabilities or those with limited access to technologies. I am excited to play a part in this rapidly growing innovation.

Anything you are passionate about outside of DAPR?

I am passionate about disability rights’ advocacy and building coalitions. I am currently working on a documentary called Doodling for Democracy and a voter education campaign showcasing the power of the disability vote (www.doodlingfordemocracy.com). I enjoy training dogs and competing in events. I also love to travel and experience new cultures and food both solo and with others. I love watching sports with family and friends both in person and virtually. You can also find me doing scenic and action photography.

Anything else you would like to share?

I would love to support other research or initiatives. Please reach out if you think my network and resources can help you. sandy.hanebrink@touchthefuture.us