Christopher Lee, Director, is a nationally recognized advocate, author, speaker and leader in the field of learning disabilities and adaptive technology. He has a PhD. In Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on leadership, policy studies, social psychology and assistive technology from the Union Institute and University (2005).
In 1992 Christopher published Faking It: A Look into the Mind of a Creative Learner (Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, Boynton and Cook), and in 2001 he published What About ME? Strategies for Teaching Misunderstood Learners (Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, Boynton and Cook). These books draw on Christopher's own experiences growing up with learning disabilities.
Currently Christopher serves as the Director of the Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC), an initiative of the University System of Georgia, which is located at The University of Georgia. AMAC operates under the auspices of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology. AMAC is a statewide program that provides assistive technology and alternative media to students with print-related disabilities. AMAC is an innovative model for the Universal Design for Learning, and Christopher is developing the program in hopes that other states and institutions will be inspired to better provide services for their post-secondary students with print-related disabilities.
Complete Biography of Christopher Lee
Tamara Rorie, Compliance & Braille Manager, is a native of North Carolina. She was born totally blind and was mainstreamed through the public school system in Charlotte where she began using Braille during the first grade. Ms. Rorie graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1984 with a degree in Political Science. After working in sales for four years, she enrolled at the Wake Forest University where she obtained her law degree.
After graduating from law school, Ms. Rorie obtained a position with Thomson Group (formally West Publishing Company). During her tenure there, she worked as a research attorney and as a Client Representative. While at Thomson, Ms. Rorie developed and implemented a client liaison position which provided support to print-disabled users of Thomson's books and services. The position remains viable to date.
Ms. Rorie has been in private legal practice in Atlanta for nine years. She had a general practice with emphasis on domestic issues, consumer issues and civil rights. She brings her legal knowledge, advocacy skills, and in-depth expertise as a user of alternative media and assistive technology to her dual role at the Alternative Media Access Center.
Ms. Rorie is active in her community. She has served on numerous boards and committees including her current position as a member of the Board of Trustees with the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta.
Robert Martinengo, Instructional Materials Access Manager, has been involved with the process of making instructional materials accessible to students with print disabilities for 10 years. At Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Robert was the Studio Director in Hollywood, during the period when RFB&D developed and implemented digital production and distribution. For the California Community Colleges, Robert acted as the Supervisor for the Alternate Text Production Center, where he instituted the first large-scale publisher file request system in the country. Robert has written for Accessible Content Magazine, consulted for the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and given presentations on accessibility to the Association of American Publishers, the World Bank, the Text and Academic Author Association, and others.
Todd Runkle, Information Technology Manager, is responsible for the design, programming, and maintenance of AMAC's databases and information systems. A graduate of the College of William and Mary in Virginia, Todd began his software career by developing manufacturing, financial, and translation software for ERP vendor QAD. In 2000, Todd moved from California to Georgia to join MindSpring, which soon merged with EarthLink to become the nation's second largest Internet Service Provider. While at EarthLink, Todd developed and helped manage the company's broadband order entry, provisioning and reporting applications. In 2007, Todd left EarthLink to join AMAC and has been busy developing NEON, AMAC's online repository and ordering application.
Keith Harper, Senior Financial Accountant, is responsible for the accounting duties, internal systems reporting, and operations management, as well as the financial and statistical statements for AMAC. Keith, a graduate of Axia College in Phoenix, has a diverse background in state and local agency accounting, budgeting, and procurement. He previously managed a Department of Defense federal procurement program for the Georgia Department of Public Safety with annual sales of more than $10.5 million. He has also worked as the budget/accounting officer for a local municipality, responsible for an annual budget of almost $90 million.
Melinda Pethel, Assistive Computer Technology Specialist, provides technical assistance with selection, installation, use and troubleshooting of technologies that will support a student's success in the educational environment. Melinda earned her Bachelor of Science degree from North Georgia College and Master of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Georgia. Melinda is a certified Blackboard Vista Administrator and an A+ certified computer technician. She is familiar with most AT computer applications in both the PC and Mac environments.
Aileen D. Hodes, Administrative Assistant, brings a wealth of diverse experience to the Alternative Media Access Center. A native of New Jersey, Ms. Hodes began her career in the advertising field and has a wealth of experience as an art director and designer. Since relocating to Georgia, she has been employed as an administrative assistant and receptionist in the medical and insurance industries, while devoting her free time to artistic pursuits.