Tech First SHIFT announced this week that Sharon Thomas with KenCrest was chosen as a winner of the Dustin A. Wright Tech Champion Award. This award was established to memorialize Dustin A. Wright, Founder of Disability Cocoon, and pioneer in the Technology First movement.

This Direct Support Professional embodies what it means to be a Tech Champion by (1) pursuing education and training to enhance their knowledge and skill of integrating technology as a natural support, (2) advocating for technology implementation in the home, workplace, and community for the self-advocates they support, (3) empowering individuals to self-advocate for technology and its integration into daily routines and activities, and (4) championing Technology First best practices within the organization to build momentum and sustain transformation.

About Tech First SHIFT

SHIFT acts as a catalyst for the Technology First movement in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) supports community through resources that inspire possibility. SHIFT is committed to organizational transformation through online education, experiential learning, and professional collaboration with a goal of developing standardized best practices for organizations and states leading the way in the Technology First movement.

About Dustin A. Wright

Dustin was a leader in the remote support and enabling technology industry. His passion for the IDD community led him to begin Disability Cocoon, an entity that raises awareness of technological resources to support community independence. His capacity to help people understand the value of technology and its role as natural support was evident in the way he facilitated Tech Huddles and webinars. He embraced everything he did with enthusiasm, and our field is better for it.