About Us

The Connecticut Tech Act Project’s mission is to increase independence and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities through increased access to Assistive Technology for work, school and community living.

History

In 1988, Public Law 108-3464, The Technology Related Services for Individuals with Disabilities was passed, which made Federal grants available to every US state and territory to establish an AT Act Program. The Connecticut Tech Act Project was established in Connecticut in 1992 with the main purpose of systems changes and raising awareness of Assistive Technology.

The Connecticut Tech Act Project focused on establishing programs throughout Connecticut that would help individuals with disabilities learn about and have access to Assistive Technology. Some of the programs included the low-interest Assistive Technology Loan Program, which still exists today, as well as the creation of Connecticut’s Assistive Technology Lemon Law.

Public Law 108-3464 went through a series of changes and amendments, the last one being in 2004. These changes impacted the requirements for all of the AT Act Programs. Now we required to increase access to and acquisition of Assistive Technology for individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, employers and professionals. We must “improve the provision of Assistive Technology to individuals with disabilities through comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages.”

State Level Activities

All AT Act Programs are required to establish the following 4 State Level activities:

  1. Assistive Technology Demonstration
  2. Assistive Technology Device Loan Program
  3. Assistive Technology Reutilization Program (also known as recycling)
  4. Alternate Financing Program

The Connecticut Tech Act Project has established these programs in a variety of ways, including by partnering with agencies in the community, such as the NEAT Center at Oakhill, the Eastern Connecticut AT Center, Southern Connecticut State University Center for Adaptive Technology and more. You can learn about our partners in the Partner Agencies section of this website.

Leadership Activities

The AT Act also requires that each AT Act Program provide Training and Technical Assistance, Coordination and Collaboration and outreach and public awareness. You may find the Connecticut Tech Act Project at various fairs and expos, conferences, trainings and other events.

If you would like the Connecticut Tech Act Project to be present at your event or if you would like to find out more about the trainings we offer, please contact us.

Transition

The AT Act has a new emphasis on Transition, which includes students transitioning from high school to post-secondary or work experiences as well as individuals in nursing facilities transitioning back into the community.

AT Act State Plan

You can read the Connecticut Tech Act Project’s State Plan by following this link to the Ed.gov website: https://www.ed.gov/programs/atsg/state-plans/2006/

For more information on the Connecticut Tech Act Project programs and activities, feel free to contact us. Your feedback is always welcome!

Advisory Council

The CTTAP Advisory Council is comprised of individuals with disabilities who use assistive technology (AT), family members or guardians of individuals who use AT, and representatives of agencies concerned with advancing the use of AT. The Advisory Council will provide input and perspectives regarding the AT Act federal grant and resulting statewide and comprehensive activities implemented by the Connecticut Tech Act Project.