About

Asher is the Technology Lending Center Coordinator at Advancing Opportunities. He assists people across the state of New Jersey to borrow assistive technology tools to try them out before purchasing. Asher loves learning about and trying new technology tools.

Garth Heid has over twenty five years of experience working in the field of assistive technology and direct client services. He has provided services encompassing all aspects of technology designed for people with disabilities at home, school, and in the work place. Garth was one of the first Advancing Opportunities, Inc (Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey) staff certified as an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) by the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA).

Judy Nigl has been with Advancing Opportunities since 2001. She started here as the full time receptionist and has helped support many departments in the agency. For the past several years, Judy has helped the Assistive Technology Services Department to run smoothly. Please give Judy a call if you have any questions.

Karen Gliniecki has been working as an augmentative-alternative communication specialist and speech-language pathologist for over 20 years. Karen received her Masters Degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and holds licensure in New Jersey. She has provided alternative communication systems for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. Karen has worked in homes, employment centers, schools, hospitals, and community worksites. In addition to providing evaluations and consumer training, Karen also provides staff and family training. She works primarily in the northwest portion of the state.

Kate Flaxman, MS CCC-SLP is an Augmentative Communication Specialist for Advancing Opportunities, Inc. Kate received her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University. While at Penn State, Kate obtained a specialty in Augmentative Communication (AAC) through working with a leader in AAC research, Dr. Janice Light. She is certified by the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a New Jersey license in Speech-language Pathology. Prior to joining Advancing Opportunities, Kate worked as a Speech-language Pathologist at a private residential program for students ages 5-21 with intellectual disabilities.

Kristen is an occupational therapist and a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional. Before joining the agency, she worked as an occupational therapist in various pediatric settings including schools and long-term care. At Advancing Opportunities, she provides consumers with assistive technology evaluations and trainings primarily in the area of computer access and workplace accommodations to help them become more independent at school, work, and home.

Michael is a licensed Occupational Therapist and an Assistive Technology Specialist. He is currently pursuing the Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) certification offered by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Prior to joining Advancing Opportunities in 2023, Michael worked as a home health occupational therapist. He is excited to help his clients use assistive technology to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

Sally has a Master’s degree in Special Education, a New Jersey teaching certificate, and has been working in the field of Assistive Technology since 2000, primarily with students with multiple disabilities. She has had experience teaching students with multiple disabilities, both in Iowa and in New Jersey.

In her current position, Sally is working with teachers, students, parents and adults to help adapt technology to their individual needs, and to help teachers and school staff discover adaptations that will best help each student achieve his or her potential.

Tara Wohltman is an Occupational Therapist and a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional. Tara has worked as an Occupational Therapist with adults and children. The majority of her career has been working with children with multiple disabilities. At Advancing Opportunities, she provides environmental modification evaluations and assistive technology evaluations and trainings to help clients be more independent at work, home, and school.