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Author: Arlene Lugo

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Announcement News and Events

Accessible Pharmacy Services Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program

Logos for CDC, Accessible Pharmacy and National Diabetes Prevention Program

As part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, you can join the Accessible Pharmacy Services Diabetes Lifestyle Coaches on a journey to a healthier you! Get healthy, stay healthy, and avoid diabetes with this virtual program (fully funded by insurance). Also available: virtual classes provided in American Sign Language!

Who Can Join? If you are age 18+ and identify with any of the following:

  • Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher
  • Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Not be pregnant
  • Be able to meet 1 of the following requirements:
  • Had a qualifying blood test result in the prediabetes range in the past year
  1. Have a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes
  2. Receive a high-risk result on a Prediabetes Risk Test

Goals:

  1. Lose weight through healthy eating
  2. Increase physical activity
  3. Learn to identify and address barriers to healthy eating and physical activity

Duration (1-Year):

  • 22 virtual sessions spread out over the course of 1 year

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proven success:

  • Participants lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%
  • Participants ages 60+ lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 71%

Contact Accessible Pharmacy to Register  – Email: info@AccessiblePharmacy.com

VP available upon request

www.AccessiblePharmacy.com/diabetes-prevention-program

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Announcement News and Events

ATIA 2024 – A Fantastic Learning Experience!

clip art of a person giving a presentation to an audience

Written by Nicole Deary, AT Specialist, EASTCONN

My colleague and I recently attended the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference in Florida, and we are thrilled to share our experience. The event was a treasure trove of information, providing valuable insights into the latest advancements in technology designed to support individuals with communication disorders and other disabilities. The conference showcased a diverse range of products and solutions that left us impressed and excited about the possibilities in our field.

One of the highlights was attending the comprehensive sessions that delved into the practical applications of various assistive technologies. These sessions covered everything from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to innovative apps and software designed to enhance communication skills. The presenters were experts in their respective fields, offering in-depth knowledge and practical tips that we can now integrate into our practice.

The exhibit hall was a bustling hub of activity, with numerous vendors showcasing their latest products. It was a delight to explore the myriad of options available, each catering to different needs and preferences. From cutting-edge AAC devices with customizable features to user-friendly apps that promote language development, the diversity of assistive technology was truly impressive.

Engaging with the vendors provided us with a hands-on experience, allowing us to better understand each product’s functionality and potential benefits. Additionally, networking with professionals from various disciplines, as well as from our own home state of Connecticut, opened up opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. The vendor exhibit was not only a feast for our mind but also for the taste buds, as attendees were treated to delicious hot pretzels and refreshing ice cream, creating a delightful atmosphere for networking and informal conversations.

Overall, the conference was a fantastic learning experience, and we left feeling invigorated and inspired by the vast potential of assistive technology. The event not only deepened our understanding of the available tools but also reinforced the importance of staying abreast of technological advancements to better serve individuals with communication disorders. We are eager to incorporate our newfound knowledge into our practice and contribute to the continued advancement of assistive technology in our field.

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Announcement News and Events

Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate at Southern Connecticut State University

AT evaluator working with a young girls on various communication devices

By Lauren Tucker, Ed.D. Assistant Professor, Area Coordinator, Graduate Program in Assistive Technology, Special Education Department, Southern Connecticut State University

Interested in learning more about assistive technology while earning graduate credits?  Southern Connecticut State University is now offering a 12-credit graduate certificate in assistive technology. The four-class program spans the fall and spring semesters and includes hybrid coursework and an in-person, evening clinical experience. The courses review foundational aspects of assistive technology across a variety of areas including assessment, consultation, and training.

The first two courses provide a foundation of tools and strategies across functional, academic, and independent living tasks. Within these courses, hands-on activities and technology explorations are provided each week. The majority of content is delivered online for these two courses; however, any in-person sessions involve working directly with technology (i.e. 3D printing, virtual reality, eye gaze devices, adapting toys, etc.).  In addition to hands-on explorations, graduate students are paired with practicing educational professionals in the field to reinforce effective consulting approaches. Using a framework, graduate students gain information about a challenge, match technology to the task, and provide individualized trainings. 

The final two courses focus on the assistive technology assessment process. The first class reviews a variety of approaches to AT assessments, forms, and areas for evaluation.  The final practicum course facilitates a hands-on opportunity for graduate students to work with two members of the community to evaluate their AT needs, one K-12 student and one older adult.  

These four courses provide practical, hands-on, authentic AT learning experiences to be applied when working with individuals across the life span. If you are interested in learning more about the program and admission, please contact Dr. Lauren Tucker (tuckerL7@southernct.edu) and visit the SCSU website at: https://catalog.southernct.edu/graduate/programs-and-degrees/assistive-technology-certificate.html. 

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Announcement News and Events

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Success Story

Bridging the Digital Divide Logo

Written by Miriam Johnson, Inclusion & Accessibility Manager, ATS, United Cerebral Palsy of Eastern CT

Milton suffered a stroke that permanently affected his mobility. He was forced to sell his mobile home and move into an affordable apartment that provided accessibility, but was no longer near his friends and family, leaving him completely alone and isolated. He had not spoken to his brother or sister in over 6 years, and he missed seeing and talking to them.

Milton with his new iPad

After setting up the new tablet for Milton, we were able to add his email address and create a brand new Facebook account for him. We took his photo, uploaded it as his main image, and helped him create 

his online profile to make it possible for friends and family to look him up online. We helped him locate his brother and sister, helped to connect them as friends, and then trained Milton how to message them. We then trained him how to use Facebook Messenger and he and his sister and brother held video calls together for the first time in over 6 years. He was thrilled to catch up with them!

Since Milton only has use of one arm and hand, we set up Google Assistant to give Milton the ability to use voice commands to operate most of the tablet’s functions. We also attached a shoulder strap to the device and set it up uniquely to hang around his neck and balance on his abdomen to make one-handed usage possible.

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Announcement News and Events

CT Centers for Independent Living – Tech Coach Program

Digital Divide coordinator, Miriam from UCP, showing a woman with a disability how to use a tablet and trackball mouse

Did you know the CT Centers for Independent Living (CIL) offer a Tech Coach Program?

The program is a supportive and empowering initiative designed to bridge the digital divide and enhance the tech skills of individuals with disabilities. We offer personalized coaching sessions led by experienced coaches who specialize in assistive technologies and accessibility features. The benefits of joining the program include:

  • Help you learn how to set up and use smart devices
  • Learn to navigate the internet and social media
  • Learn how to take online classes
  • On site or remote tech assistance with follow-up
  • No cost
  • Empowers individuals to combat the challenges of ever-growing tech advancements
  • Access telemedicine appointments with your doctor

Contact the CIL that covers your town for more:

  • Disabilites Network of Eastern CT, 860-823-1898, Videophone: 860-255-4190, www.dnec.org: New London and Windham County
  • Center for Disability Rights, 203-934-7077, Videophone:
    203-680-3967, www.cdr-ct.org: Greater New Haven County, some of Middlesex county including Shelton, Cromwell and Southington.
  • Independence Northwest, 203-729-3299, Videophone: 203-490-2372, www.independencenorthwest.org: Northwest, CT.
  • Access Independence, 203-502-7418, Videophone: 203-916-9012, www.accessinct.org, Fairfield county
  • Independence Unlimited, 860-523-5021, Videophone: 860-724-2742, www.independenceunlimited.org: Greater Hartford Area

Who can participate?

The Tech Coach Program serves All people with disabilities in Connecticut.

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Announcement News and Events

CTTAP Has a New Logo!

Connecticut Tech Act Project logo

The CT Tech Act Project was established in Connecticut in 1992 and for 31 years we have used our original logo and tagline ‘Achievement Through Technology’.

Old CTTAP logo from 1992 - 2023

But times change, trends change, and we know technology changes very quickly! This year the CT Tech Act Project Advisory Council decided it was time to modernize our look and feel. This included updating our logo to a more relevant look that better reflects our current mission, that is more versatile and adaptable and will endure for many years into the future.

Connecticut Tech Act Project logo

We maintained the color purple, but utilized a deeper, royal purple and have added orange to create a nice pop of color and contrast. The graphic elements to the left of the program title are intended to be active, dynamic and bold, reflecting our mission as Connecticut’s Assistive Technology program – the central place that individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, employers, and professionals turn to for Assistive Technology supports, programs, services and resources.

We are excited about this new look and to have also updated our website to reflect our new colors and logo. We also streamlined the information to give visitors to our website easier access to the information and resources they are looking for. You can visit our website at www.CTtechact.com. You will begin seeing our new logo throughout our website, social media and print materials. Rest assured we are the same small but mighty program with a great new look!

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General News and Events

What is Assistive Technology?

three icons showing a lightbulb, a silhouette of a head with a gear for a brain, and two people communicating with "What is Assistive Technology?" underneath

DEFINING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

(Reprinted from AT3 Toolkit, https://at3center.net/publications)

An Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (P.L. 10-34).

This broad definition means that assistive technology is anything that helps someone do something they couldn’t do because of a disability or functional limitation.

Assistive Technology can be:

  • Homemade or store bought
  • Used “as is” or modified
  • Range from no cost to expensive
  • Require no training or months of instruction

Examples of Assistive Technology include:

  • Tennis balls placed on walker legs to make it easier to glide over carpet
  • Paint used for wayfinding or as a memory aide – “Follow the blue line to the cafeteria”
  • Text-to-Speech software that reads text to an individual with a print disability
  • Assistive Listening devices that improve hearing. Devices include personal amplified, FM, Infrared, and Bluetooth systems as well as audio induction or hearing loop
  • Speech Generating Device used to facilitate communication using a device to generate words and messages

AT Toolkit, a container with a variety of lower tech items, such as high contract keyboard stickers, communication board, ergonomic grips, and more

DEFINING THE BROAD RANGE OF AT SERVICES

Assistive technology services assist in the selection, acquisition, or use of assistive technology.

Assistive Technology services include:

  • Evaluation of the assistive technology needs of an individual with a disability or older adult experiencing functional limitations due to aging and evaluating the impact of providing AT and AT services in the appropriate environment
  • Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of AT
  • Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, replacing, or donating AT devices
  • Coordination and use of necessary therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices. For example, services associated with education or rehabilitation plans and programs
  • Training or technical assistance for an individual with a disability, a family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative
  • Training or technical assistance for professionals who serve individuals with disabilities, employers, or others providing services to employ or assist with major life functions
  • Expanding the availability of access to technology, including electronic and information technology Act.

To read the full AT Toolkit, visit the AT3 Center Publications page

Who We Are

The Connecticut Tech Act Project (CTTAP) operates out of the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services. We help people with disabilities, family members, employers, educators and other professionals with access to Assistive Technology devices and services.

© CT Tech Act Project 2023. All rights reserved.

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