Carrie Luse, MSR, OT/L, ATP
Director
Carrie graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2001 with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Her education was primarily interdisciplinary, learning alongside physical therapy and speech language pathology students. Carrie has been a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) since 2007. Her true passion is working with and learning from people with complex communication, mobility, and medical needs. She worked for almost ten years at Legacy Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon and was part of multiple interdisciplinary clinic teams. Carrie has served children and adults through her private practice at Assistive Technology NW, as well as consulting at the Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children and The Child Center. She has been an adjunct teacher at Pacific University for an AT course. She presents regionally and nationally on a variety of topics. Carrie lives in Portland with her husband, two daughters, and two little dogs.
Noelle Birky, MS, CCC-SLP
Assistant Director
Noelle received her graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University East Bay in 2013. Since then, she has worked in school-based settings serving individuals with complex communication, physical, and behavioral needs. Noelle specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), developing communication systems that range from paper-based to high-tech speech-generating devices. She previously worked for Multnomah Education Service District as a Speech-Language Pathologist in their Functional Living Skills program. Noelle is passionate about access to literacy instruction for people of all abilities. In her free time, Noelle enjoys spending time with friends, hiking, and finding the best places to get tacos in Portland.
Cynthia Castaneda, BA, SLPA
Accessibility Specialist
Cynthia graduated from California State University Fullerton in 2013 with a Bachelors in Communicative Disorders and received her Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) certification in 2014. In her previous position as an SLPA with Multnomah Education Service District, she served students with complex needs in the Functional Life Skills program. Through this position she gained knowledge and experience working with Assistive Technology (AT) and Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC). In addition to serving as the Accessibility Specialist for the AT Lab, Cynthia is also the Oregon representative of the Northwest ADA Center. The Center provides technical assistance, training and educational materials to Region 10 – Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. Learn more on our ADA page. She is passionate about removing barriers for accessibility and serving marginalized communities. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys hand embroidery and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two dogs..
Kim Elliott, MS, CCC-SLP, ATP
AT Lab Advisor & Community Vision Director of Programs & Services
Kim has extensive experience in the Portland regional area in the area of Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) and AT. She and Carrie created and developed the AT Lab program for Community Vision and co-directed it for four years. As Community Vision’s Director of Programs, she continues to work closely with the AT Lab and is passionate about making our world more inclusive and accessible through AT, advocacy, and education.