Meetings

DRAFT – DakotaLink Advisory Council
Quarterly Zoom Meeting
Meeting Notes
December 5^th, 2024

The DakotaLink Advisory Council meeting on December 5^th, 2024, covered several key updates and introductions. The council approved the September 10, 2024, meeting notes and discussed the draft agenda. Lyle Cook highlighted his involvement in the American Indian Conference and the Lakota Nation Invitational Tournament. Kendra Gottsleben announced the South Dakota Conference on Developmental Disabilities and the 35th ADA anniversary celebration in Sioux Falls. Richard Moeller shared insights from the SD Rehab Action Conference in Deadwood. Adam Hust, a new assistive technology specialist, was introduced. The meeting also delved into AI advancements, including Meta glasses and the Glide mobility device, and discussed potential changes in federal funding and advocacy efforts due to recent elections.

Roll Call and Introductions

• Page discusses the use of AI with Otter for meeting transcription, summary, and outline, expressing satisfaction with its efficiency.
• Richard initiates the roll call and introductions, starting with Page Hudson, followed by Richard Moeller, Lyle Cook, Adam Hust, Sandy Neyhart, Bill McEntaffer, Brett Burden, Kayla Kane, Tana Zwart, Kendra Gottsleben, Amy Scepaniak, Jessica, and finally Konnie Ellis. Absent were: Blaine Jemming, Mollie Keating, Matt Cain, and Beth Schiltz.
• Lyle introduces himself as the Cheyenne River City Tribe’s tribal Vocational Rehab Director and member of the DakotaLink Advisory Committee.
• Adam Hust introduces himself as an assistive technology specialist based in Sioux Falls, working with Brett Crosby and Page Hudson.
• Sandy Neyhart represents the Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, highlighting Dakota Link’s partnership for the CCTV program.

Approval of Previous Meeting Notes and Draft Agenda

• Richard calls for the approval of the September 10, 2024, meeting notes, with a motion from Bill and a second from Amy. The notes are approved unanimously.
• Konnie requests a correction in the minutes, specifying “Meta glasses” instead of “Google Glass” and mentioning the new feature of Be My Eyes on Meta glasses.
• Richard asks for a motion to approve the draft agenda, which is moved by Bill and seconded by Lyle, followed by unanimous approval.
• Page mentions potential discussion on updates from a meeting with federal officials in Washington, D.C., which may impact the AI and assistive technology topics.

Updates and Announcements

• Lyle provides updates on the American Indian Conference and the Lakota Nation Invitational Tournament, emphasizing their importance in reaching out to Native American communities.
• Kendra discusses the South Dakota Conference on Developmental Disabilities, scheduled for August 26-27, 2025, and the 35th anniversary celebration of the ADA in Sioux Falls.
• Richard shares his experience at the SD Rehab Action Conference in Deadwood, highlighting the diverse speakers and sessions, including a breakout session on anxiety management.
• Brett confirms DakotaLink’s participation in the conference and the benefits of networking opportunities.

New Employee Introduction and Assistive Technology and AI Use

• Page introduces Adam Hust, the new assistive technology specialist from North Dakota, who has experience with Mac repair and user training.
• Page discusses the latest advancements in AI, including the iPhone 16’s improved Siri and new AI-driven photo and video tools.
• Page mentions OpenAI’s updates, including the Sora text-to-video model and Google’s Gemini multimodal AI model, and their applications in various fields.
• Page highlights efforts to tackle AI challenges, such as Amazon’s automatic reasoning systems and Elon Musk’s Truth GPT initiative.

Federal Government and AI Discussion

• Page provides an update on the potential changes in federal funding and advocacy efforts due to the recent elections and leadership transitions.
• Page emphasizes the importance of identifying new champions for the Assistive Technology Act and engaging with incoming legislators.
• Richard and Lyle discuss the potential impact of changes in the Department of Education and the importance of maintaining support for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Richard and Page discuss the benefits and challenges of AI, including its potential for both assistance and misinformation, and the need for industry regulation.

Open Forum

• Konnie shares her experience with Meta glasses, highlighting their capabilities, such as calling Be My Eyes volunteers for assistance.
• Konnie discusses the Glide mobility device, a prototype for blind individuals that uses AI to navigate obstacles in real-time, and its potential benefits.
• Amy and Konnie discuss the cost and potential of the Glide device compared to guide dogs, emphasizing its accessibility and benefits for various users.
• Brett mentions DakotaLink’s new website, which includes videos showcasing their work and client testimonials, and encourages everyone to check it out.

Next Meeting Plan and Adjournment

• Page proposes the next meeting date as Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 2 PM Central Time, to allow for more information on federal directives.
• Richard calls for a motion to adjourn, which is moved by Amy and seconded by Lyle, followed by unanimous approval.
• The meeting concludes with holiday wishes and safe travels for everyone.