Born with cerebral palsy, Amelia Whorton has made it her mission to break down barriers, not just in her personal life but also in the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). With the help of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), she’s navigating her path to success while paving the way for others with disabilities.  

With a master’s degree in neuroscience and physiology, Amelia is working toward a PhD in biomedical sciences. Her research focuses on preventing burnout by identifying when tasks should be offloaded or paused. Her goal is to use machine learning and artificial intelligence to revolutionize prosthetics to adapt to an individual’s unique movements, reducing the need for frequent adjustments or replacements. 

Amelia is an advocate for greater representation of people with disabilities in STEM careers. She’s vocal about the challenges and stigma that people with disabilities can face. “Having a disability is expensive,” Amelia notes. “Society often focuses on what people can’t do rather than thinking about how we can help them do it.”

“OOD wants to make sure each person becomes the most successful version of themselves,” Amelia explains. Through OOD’s Personal Care Assistance program, Amelia has been assisted with daily living, and thanks to Ohio College2Careers (Ohio C2C), she has received tuition support, adaptive computer technology and training, and internship and employment-seeking services. 

Amelia encourages others to follow her path. “People with disabilities are natural-born problem solvers,” she says. When faced with the challenge of using a keyboard with one hand, she didn’t wait for a solution to appear—she built one herself.

Phil Penrod, Amelia’s OOD Sr. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, emphasizes the importance of focus and determination. “I admire Amelia’s unwavering focus on setting and achieving her academic and career goals.” 

In Amelia’s case, she benefited from the close partnership between Wright State University’s Office of Disability Services and Ohio C2C. Together, they work to align services to help increase student preparedness for careers and access to job opportunities. 

For anyone facing similar challenges, Amelia’s recommendation is clear: “If you want to succeed and thrive, OOD is an invaluable resource. They help you build the career you want and empower you to take control of your own life.” 

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