Ricky D.: Inspiring Creativity in Young People with Disabilities
Ricky D. was a finalist on the ABC prime time reality show American Inventor this past summer after being selected from national casting calls held in six major cities across the nation. He is director of Tech-Now Inc., Oklahoma’s ODEP-funded High School/High Tech program, which provides opportunities for students with all types of disabilities to explore and gain further education needed to pursue careers in science, mathematics and technology. Ricky, who himself has a learning disability, oversees technology programs in 34 middle and high schools. Through his teaching experiences, he was inspired to create an early rendition of his celebrated “HT Racers” invention, a kit to design and build remote control model cars, planes, trucks, boats and anything else imaginable.