Title: 1) Director of Assistive Technology; 2) Lecturer III
Company: 1) Bosma Enterprises; 2) Indiana State University
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
William R. Powell, Director of Assistive Technology at Bosma Enterprises and Lecturer III at Indiana State University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Education.
Mr. Powell is an experienced general special education and assisted technology specialist who has been employed by Bosma Enterprises for over 15 years as an assistive technology director. The nonprofit organization, located in Indianapolis, is recognized as Indiana’s largest employer of blind individuals. It provides jobs for the blind and visually impaired in areas such as contract packaging, light manufacturing, and warehousing.
As part of his daily responsibilities, Mr. Powell is tasked with teaching technology courses in drilling and assistive technology that are engaging and thought-provoking while assisting students with their schedules and other needs. He also conducts daily building checks to ensure the safety of all students and swiftly addresses any issues by handling them himself or contacting the facility manager. Additionally, Mr. Powell conducts regularly scheduled meetings with personnel, virtually and in person, regarding various matters.
In addition to his tenure at Bosma Enterprises, Mr. Powell spent over 25 years teaching at the Indiana School for the Blind in Indianapolis. He also garnered success in higher education as a lecturer at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and lecturer III at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. During his younger years, Mr. Powell also coached wrestling and track teams at a local public school.
Inspired to work in this niche area of education, Mr. Powell is also blind and has hearing loss. A former student at the Indiana School for the Blind, he found the experience very rewarding. Excelling academically, he earned the opportunity to begin his teaching path at age 14 as a substitute teacher on campus.
After completing high school, Mr. Powell pursued a college education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in special education and teaching from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, in 1981. He also garnered over a dozen professional credentials, including professional mastery of office technology for employment, Microsoft Office with adaptive software from the National Industries for the Blind. He also received accreditation from Microsoft 365 Spring 2022 Updates by Skillsoft, designation as a certified assistive technology specialist, and a professional educator’s license from the State of Indiana Department of Public Instruction.
Having been active with various industry-related organizations in support of his work, Mr. Powell continues to engage with the Australian Computer Society and the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Besides his work-related affiliations, he is active in various civic and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Powell also sponsors the Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation, Bazaar Funds and the Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation.
In light of his success, Mr. Powell received an Alumni Award in 1990. He credits much of his good fortune to his desire to help others improve their lives and overcome obstacles as confident members of society. Mr. Powell’s career has influenced many students throughout his tenure, teaching the importance of inclusion despite being identified with marginalized groups throughout his life. Looking toward the future, he intends to eventually retire and pass on his position to a younger individual currently working alongside him. He is deaf-blind, has limited vision, and has characteristics similar to his, whom Mr. Powell believes will be the perfect fit.
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