Inspire For Life

Lynn Gitlow, Ph. D. Professor

Director of Occupational Therapy

Husson College

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to recognize the numerous accomplishments and talents of Bill Picard. Bill has a business degree from the University of Maine at Orono and then three years experience working at the Center for Community Inclusion. I have know Bill for over five years and have had the pleasure of working with him on a grant funded project at The Center for Community Inclusion at the University of Maine during that time. Additionally, Bill has been an annual speaker in my assistive technology classes at Husson College in Bangor. Bill is a dynamic speaker who addresses topics of disability, sexuality, assistive technology and motivation with a personal perspective and a wonderful sense of humor. Consistently my students who hear him report that he is a wonderful speaker who adds a personal dimension to class material. Students with disabilities who attended our grant activities viewed Bill as the role model they never had. They often would say that he provided them with the motivation to consider going on to higher education. Based on how I have seen all types of students respond to Bill's presentations, I think that having him engage with K-12 students would be an excellent way to enhance educational programs with a motivational speaker.

Additionally Bill would be an excellent resource person for people who have had a stroke or other people who can't talk anymore who might not know that there is assistive technology out there that can help them communicate with a talking keyboard. He is very knowledgeable about this type of assistive technology- what is available and how to be a self-advocate to obtain assistive technologies which can improve ones functional ability.

In addition to being a wonderful speaker and advocate for people with disabilities, Bill has always been reliable and professional in his interactions with me. I hope that we will be able to continue our work together in the future. Please feel free to contact me for further information.

Respectfully

Lynn Gitlow, Ph.D. OTR/L
Director of Occupational Therapy
Husson College
Bangor Maine