Randy got his first language device, a Liberator, when he was 39 years old, well beyond the “critical period” for language learning. He was not literate and he did not know spoken language structure.  His sentences were often ungrammatical.  He studied hard and mastered spoken and written language.  He is a wonderful example, proving that everyone can learn the full systems of spoken and written language no matter how old or disabled.

Randy is a disabilities rights activist who fought for the Americans with Disabilities Act, going to Washington, D.C., throwing himself out of his wheelchair to crawl up the marble steps of the capital.  Others immediately followed.  When Randy saw that a man behind him was starting to fall back, he reached and pulled the man up with him.  Fighting to make Greyhound accessible, he threw himself under a stopped bus.  It drew the attention that was needed. Randy is on the consumer advisory board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, trying to make bus transportation more accessible.  He is on the Advisory Committee for the elderly and disabled at the North Los Angeles County Regional Center and has served as chair of the board for many years. 

Randy is currently experiencing the biggest challenge of his life.  In December 2005, he woke up to find that he had lost most of the motor control that allowed him to function in spite of his severe cerebral palsy.  He could not control his hands or arms.  After a few weeks, he could only control his right arm and hand.  Since he was previously left-handed, he arranged to have his wheelchair control moved to his right side.  He called his PRC representative, Catherin Raio and she put a wobble switch on his right armrest and set up scanning on his Pathfinder. He had originally accessed the display by supporting his left hand with his right hand and accessing it directly.  Randy did not need any instruction on how to use scanning, within a minute, he was telling us all he loved us. He thanked Catherin profusely and asked her to dinner.

Randy has served jury duty and he was a poll worker during the past two elections. He mentors younger people with severe disabilities, encouraging them, loving them, and showing them how to have a great life.  Randy plans to continue his political, institutional and personal advocacy.  He would like to finish college to improve skills as a writer.  He is an avid country and western music and culture fan.  Both he and his wife enjoy theme parks, the county fair, the Rose Parade, and almost any other adventure.

Randy has attended and given speeches at several conferences, including: three PEC conferences, USAAC, ISAAC, and Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conferences.  He has also given numerous paid workshops and presentations.

Submitted by Laura (Dollie) Meyers, Ph.D.