UATP appreciates its summer interns!

It’s summer at the Utah Assistive Technology Program—and that means we are enjoying a new crop of interns. Here’s a quick introduction.

Ray (right) works with volunteer Nick Wolford (far left) and employee Brandon Griffin.

Raymond Emmart, Logan

Raymond Emmart is a 14-year army veteran with a combat disability. After completing an associate’s in general technology, he is now a student at Utah State University working on a bachelor’s in tech systems with an emphasis on controls, robotics and automation. 

His internship in Logan is voluntary. He has put in more than 300 hours since May. The experience will look good on his resume, and more than that, he’s enjoyed it.

 “I’m having a lot of fun here,” he said. His work with the lab means that he is sometimes present when people receive a device that makes a difference in their lives. Recently he saw the reaction when a man received a wheelchair ramp and was almost in tears. “It’s very touching when you see stuff like that,” he said. 

Ray’s mother was a nurse, so he gained a lot of exposure to the disability field. The internship was the first time he worked in it himself, though. 

“His experience has been very beneficial here. He’s helped us streamline and get organized,” said Dan O’Crowley, Logan’s UATP coordinator. “He’s got a very good engineering mind, so when we tackle a project, he brings a lot to the table. He is good at looking at it from a different perspective, which can be very helpful. It’s been very nice not to have to train him.

“His background as a veteran has been very helpful as we’ve worked with them. He’s been able to connect with veterans because of that common experience.”

Noah operates at power drill at UATP in the Uintah Basin.

Noah Sadlier, Uintah Basin

Noah Sadlier started as a volunteer and is now a paid intern at UATP in the Uintah Basin. “I’m organizing tools and putting in new wheelchair batteries,” he said. “I’ve also been cleaning up, sweeping, taking out trash, vacuuming.”

He has learned to shine up an old wheelchair and take measurements, too. 

Noah comes to us through a partnership with the Community Employment Placement Program with the Uintah School District. The program teaches work, vocational and daily living skills to students and adults with disabilities. “Noah’s a very fast learner and he’s worked hard,” said Sarah Chandler, the program’s coordinator. “We’re really proud of him.”

“He is developing a comfort zone in knowing what needs to be done, and gets busy on his own,” said Cameron Cressall, UATP’s Uintah Basin coordinator. “He’s getting that confidence that he knows he’s doing a good job. I hope he realizes that it’s not just a job. He’s helping people. He gets to see the difference that he’s making in people’s lives."

Welcome. interns!