October 31, 2024 - Atlanta, GA

We are excited to announce Dr. Zerrin Ondin-Fraser as the Interim Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI). With her expertise in assistive technology, inclusive design, and inclusive tech entrepreneurship, Dr. Ondin-Fraser brings a dynamic perspective to CIDI’s mission of advancing accessibility and innovation.

Dr. Ondin-Fraser joined CIDI in 2015, shortly after completing her Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, where she was actively engaged in assistive technology and accessibility research. Since joining CIDI, she has worked across both the service and research divisions, collaborating with CIDI colleagues and Georgia Tech partners on numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing independence and improving quality of life for people with disabilities.

One of Dr. Ondin-Fraser’s notable contributions is the Inclusive Tech Entrepreneurship Program (ITEP), funded by the New America Foundation. ITEP’s mission is to provide a unique platform for students with disabilities and from underrepresented minorities to launch startups aimed at addressing social problems caused by non-inclusive technology. The program seeks to cultivate a pipeline of next-generation entrepreneurs who address structural inequalities faced by these communities, developing solutions that blend digital innovation with public policy. Through ITEP, Dr. Ondin-Fraser and her team supported 11 students, several of whom advanced to Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X Launch program, where they continued to grow ventures focused on inclusive technology.

Dr. Ondin-Fraser also leads the Confluence, Global Assistive Technology Innovation Hub, an initiative she envisioned to bridge the assistive technology (AT) access gap for people with disabilities in low-income countries. Supported by Georgia Tech’s Denning Global Engagement Seed Fund and the Global Student Experience and Partnerships Program from the Vice Provost for International Initiatives, and in collaboration with Dean Ellen Bassett and Tony Giarrusso, Confluence creates strategic partnerships between Georgia Tech and international collaborators to collectively design sustainable, locally relevant AT solutions. Through Confluence, Dr. Ondin-Fraser is not only expanding Georgia Tech’s global impact but also equipping students with the skills needed to develop and scale transformative assistive technologies.

In addition to her leadership on these key projects, Dr. Ondin-Fraser has collaborated on numerous initiatives to advance assistive technology and accessibility research. Working alongside colleagues, she has contributed to impactful projects such as the Accessible Construction Education through Virtual/Augmented Reality Discipline Explorations, the Assistive Technology Network, and the Incubator STEM Build. These projects span a wide range of innovative efforts, from enhancing independent living for people with disabilities and creating immersive, accessible learning modules in construction education to fostering inclusive learning through 3D printing in STEM education. Through her work on these collaborative efforts with federal and state agencies and other partners, Dr. Ondin-Fraser has helped create transformative solutions that improve accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that these priorities remain at the core of CIDI’s mission.

Dr. Ondin-Fraser’s dedication to CIDI’s mission was recognized with the 2023 Outstanding Research Faculty Award from Georgia Tech’s College of Design, underscoring her contributions and commitment to advancing inclusive design research. She was also honored with the Advocates for Accessibility Award from Georgia Tech’s Office of Equity and Compliance Programs, presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This award acknowledges Dr. Ondin-Fraser’s role in enhancing accessibility and championing inclusive practices within the Georgia Tech community.

During her interim leadership, Dr. Ondin-Fraser envisions CIDI as a global leader in inclusive design, driving innovations that directly serve the needs of people with disabilities. She is committed to broadening CIDI’s impact by bridging accessibility gaps through interdisciplinary research, high-quality services, international partnerships, and transformative educational opportunities.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Ondin-Fraser to her new role as Interim Executive Director. We look forward to the continued impact and growth she will bring to CIDI’s mission of driving innovation and inclusivity.