About the Author
Madalaine Pugliese: The Assistive Educator
Ms. Pugliese has over 30 years of experience in public education and is a nationally recognized speaker and authority in assistive technology. Her achievements include:

• Program Director for Assistive Special Education Technology and Instructor in Special Education, Simmons College, Boston, MA
• Director of the Assistive Technology Project of the Massachusetts Department of Education
• Distinguished Educator Award from Apple Computer, Inc., 1999
• Named as a "Shaper of the Future" by Converge Magazine, September 1999
• Recognized as a Laureate in the Computerworld Smithsonian In Search of New Heroes Award Program: Assistive Technology Project (Massachusetts Department of Education), 2000; Stages (Assistive Technology, Inc.), 2001
• Named one of the Ten Most-Influential Assistive Technology Specialists in the country by Microsoft/IntelliTools partnership
• Presented a PathFinder Award by the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE), November 2004
• Co-director of Camp Apple, summer program for educators on new instructional technology
• Founder of Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology, a nonprofit organization offering information and resources for families and individuals with needs for adaptive technologies
• Three Masters degrees: Curriculum/Administration of Education (Suffolk University), Special Education (Simmons College), and Educational Technology (Lesley College).