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Tech Tools for Life Goes Hands-On in 2026!

Tech Tools for Life Assistive Tech at its Best Hands On Series 2026 logo

By Arlene Lugo, Program Director, CT Tech Act Project

As the seasons shift, the echoes of our 2025 Tech Tools for Life Conference still reverberate with excitement. As we enter the peak of the holiday season, it’s never too late to share the triumphs of our 2025 event while unveiling exciting plans for 2026!

How good was it?

Kara and Alice Brouhard give Keynote Address on Day 2

Our two-day Assistive Technology conference, held on June 9th and 10th at the Bristol Event Center, was a great success with an overwhelmingly positive response! We had almost 250 attendees daily and a wide array of 30 exhibitor tables and 15 dynamic breakout sessions each day.

2025 Tech Tools for Life Conference Exhibit hall with attendees visiting the Living without Limits table.

Our keynote speakers, Lynne Seagle on Day 1 and Kara and Alice Brouhard on Day 2 delivered moving insights that left attendees inspired and invigorated.

 

 

 

 

The Survey Says…

Visiting with UCP of Eastern CT’s exhibitor table.

Our Conference post-survey revealed a clear theme: attendees want more dedicated time for hands-on engagement with the AT devices and more interactive sessions.

About the Sessions:

“All sessions I attended were great! At times wish I could have been in 2 rooms at once.

Kudos for Keynotes:

“The keynote speaker was absolutely amazing!”

“Kara shared her story and a great real-life example of AT in practice.”

From an Exhibitor:

“My overall experience was top-notch.”

Favorite Sessions:

“I loved them all. Can’t possibly choose just one.”

You spoke – we listened!

As a result of the feedback we received, we have been working hard to establish the 2026 Tech Tools for Life, Assistive Tech at its Best: Hands-On Series.

Rather than a full two-day conference in 2026, we are planning a series of hands-on sessions across the state. You can tailor your AT learning experience by choosing sessions that interest you most and will give you the opportunity to engage directly with the latest in Assistive Technology. Dive into topics like Cooking with AT, DIY/Make & Take, Smart Home innovations, Accessible Gaming, Wearable Tech, Cutting-Edge Artificial Intelligence, and more. The Hands-on Series will begin in February 2026 and will run to the end of next year.

More information and details will be hitting your inbox soon. In the meantime, you can visit www.TechToolsforLife.org to find updates on the calendar for the Hands on Series for 2026, including location, registration links, payment information and more.

Tech Tools for Life Assistive Tech at its Best Hands On Series 2026 logo

For a Taste of What’s to Come

The Hands-On Series will kick off on February 12, 2026, from 10am – 2pm with our first session: Hands on… Aprons On: Cooking Without Limits presented by Living without Limits. This session will accommodate up to 50 attendees who will be cooking with the use of Assistive Technology devices and will be able to enjoy the food as they make it. A modest registration fee of $25 per person will be charged. More info to come soon!

Nigel and James from Living without Limits are Cooking with AT.
Nigel and James from Living without Limits are Cooking with AT.
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Connecticut Wheelchair Reform Coalition

CT wheelchair reform coalition members in the CT Legislature office Building lobby
Disability advocates in the Connecticut Legislature Office Building lobby
Greetings! My name is Corey Lee, and I represent the CT Wheelchair Reform Coalition. We are a group of disability advocates in Connecticut fighting for the timeliness of wheelchair repairs, especially those that need to take place in one’s home. This is a national issue, with average wait times for such repairs ranging from 60 to 90 calendar days in 2024. Last year, Governor Ned Lamont signed law PA 24-58, which went into effect on July 1, 2024. Through hard work and powerful advocacy from members in the wheelchair community, this historic piece of legislation was the first of its kind requiring wheelchair repair companies to service someone’s wheelchair within 10 business days. This piece of legislation was passed unanimously through both chambers of Connecticut’s General Assembly. However, this fight is far from over, and there is still much more that needs to be done.

Today, we are fighting for additional legislation that primarily

1.   expands the repair services insurance must pay for, such as preventative maintenance,

2.   penalizes companies that are flouting the new law and misleading customers, and

3.   requires companies to inform their customers of their rights under the law. We’re looking for others to share their stories of wheelchair repairs to help galvanize this coalition’s mission, as we work to negotiate reforms to improve the quality and timeliness of wheelchair repairs in CT, but also serve as a continuing model for other state and national policies.

 Tell us your story:

You can contact us with your story at wcrepairct@gmail.com or (860) 470-6514.

A wheelchair is more than a piece of complex rehabilitation equipment; it’s a person’s ability to be mobile, which gives them access to being a part of their community. No one should go without their mobility device because it wasn’t fixed on time, and now is the time to fix this problem. We also know that comprehensive and long-lasting reforms to wheelchair access and repair policies can only happen in the context of broader and deeper healthcare reform that benefits all, because disability does not discriminate. With that in mind, we look forward to exploring opportunities to collaborate and show solidarity with other causes.

If you want to join our cause contact us at the email above or

fill our form to sign up for future meetings!

To Report a Wheelchair Repair Issue:

Report to CT Healthcare Advocate:

bit.ly/reportwheelchairdelaysct

866-466-4446

Healthcare.advocate@ct.gov
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Announcement News and Events Smart Home Tech

First-of-its-Kind Smart House Showroom & Assessment Center Opens

Ribbon Cutting at the Living without Limits Smart Home & Assessment Center
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
By Pam Fields, CEO of ARC and Living Without Limits

Connecticut has launched a groundbreaking new resource for assistive technology: the Living Without Limits Smart House Showroom and Assessment Center in Meriden. Opening its doors in October 2025, this fully functioning house represents the first facility of its kind in the state, offering a hands-on environment where individuals can explore, test, and experience assistive technologies before making purchasing decisions.

Pam Fields addressing attendees at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Pam Fields addressing attendees at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Operated by Living Without Limits at MidState Arc, Inc in collaboration with the CT Tech Act Project, the Department of Aging and Disabilities, and the Department of Developmental Services, the Center serves all populations including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, aging-related needs, veterans, autism, mental health conditions and anyone with barriers to independent living. The showroom features a comprehensive array of technologies including lift systems, smart showers, smart ovens, stove, and microwave safety devices, cooking aids, remote support systems, employment assistance, and medication management tools. Visitors can tour the center to see these technologies in real-world settings, while assessors from across Connecticut can conduct evaluations in this accessible environment.

A key feature of the center is its extensive lending library, allowing people to borrow devices and try them in their own homes before committing to a purchase. This try-before-you-buy approach removes barriers to accessing appropriate assistive technology and ensures individuals find solutions that truly meet their needs. The center was made possible through funding from the Governor’s Non-Profit Grant Program, the Department of Developmental Services, The CT Tech Act, the City of Meriden, and various grants and foundations. Connecticut residents interested in scheduling a tour or assessment can visit livingwithoutlimits.org and complete a request form. This innovative facility represents a significant step forward in making assistive technology accessible and user-friendly for all Connecticut residents seeking to live more independently!

 
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Register for Tech Tools for Life: Assistive Tech at its Best Conference

CT Tech Tools for Life, Assistive Tech at its Best, 2025 logo

Early Bird Registration Extended through April 11th!

Visit the Tech Tools For Life conference website for more information on session descriptions, key note presenters, and more. Register today before the early bird pricing ends.

If you are interested in being an Exhibitor tables are running low. Register for your table to secure your spot. We hope to see you there!

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Save the Date for the 2025 AT Conference!

post it note with the words Save the date! written on it.

We are super excited about returning with a 2-day conference in June 2025!

Mark your calendar and save the dates of June 9 & 10 for our 2025 Tech Tools for Life Conference which will be held at the Bristol Event Center in Bristol, CT.

More information and registration options will be available soon!

 

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2024 Tech Tools Assistive Technology Conference was a huge success!

2024 Tech Tools for Life conference booklet cover

 

conference attendees exciting about the Cooking with AT demonstration

The conference was hosted by the CT Tech Act Project & ATECH (a CTTAP AT Partner), with sponsorships from the Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and more.

On May 6 and 7, the CT Tech Act Project and ATECH combined our individual conferences into a 2-day conference focused on AT for independent living and remote monitoring on Day 1, and AT for college, work and independent living on Day 2.

We had over 250 attendees each day; 25 exhibitors showcasing a variety of technology, AT and services; and 30 presentations over the two days from experts in Connecticut and beyond. Sessions focused on built-in accessibility features, smart technology for the home, 3D printing, virtual reality, and we even had a 2024 AT Conference attendees listening to the keynote speakerep from Apple Accessibility. Our keynote speakers, Curtis Hill and Todd Stabelfeldt, were amazing! They motivated us all, providing the energy and setting the stage for why Assistive Technology is such an integral part of an individual’s independence and success!

Enjoy our conference photos on the CT Tech Act Project page on Facebook.

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REMEMBERING STEVE FAMIGLIETTI

Steve Famiglietti with his service dog

Oak Hill lost our dear friend and colleague Steve Famiglietti in November of 2022. Steve was a member of our Oak Hill family for over twenty years, pioneering new, innovative services within the Eleanor Brooks Blindness Support Center. Under Steve’s leadership, the Eleanor Brooks Center helped scores of blind and low-vision individuals in Connecticut live full, joyful lives. We remember Steve as ever the patient teacher and trusted advocate for those in need. An avid storm chaser and lover of cuckoo clocks, we also remember Steve’s courage and undeniable zest for life.

On June 26th, 2024, members of the Oak Hill Community, Steve’s friends and family, and so many of the individuals he touched came together to celebrate his wonderful life and impact. Our friends at the National Federation of the Blind CT, Maryanne Melley and Mary Silverberg dedicated a beautiful bench in Steve’s honor. It will provide comfort and respite to visitors to Oak Hill’s campus for years to come.

To honor Steve and the incalculable impact he made on Oak Hill, we are proud to announce the establishment of the The Steve Famiglietti Memorial Fund. This fund will expand opportunities for blind and low-vision individuals in Connecticut to receive the enrichment and assistive technology services they need to reach the highest degree of independence. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation, Steve’s impact will live on. Representatives from the foundation Cynthia Ziegler Brighton, Marcia Cleary, and Stephen Deltatto attended to dedicate a very generous gift in Steve’s memory. Please join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the E. Matilda Zeigler Foundation for their commitment to building a more equitable world for blind and low-vision individuals!

To learn more about our blind service offerings at Oak Hill, or to make a gift in Steve’s memory, please contact Lucy McMillan, Chief Development Officer, at lmcmillan@gileadcs.org.

Reprinted with permission from the NEAT Center at Oak Hill, Summer 2024 Newsletter.

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National AT Awareness Day! April 17, 2024

Thank you to our CTTAP Partner Agencies with logos for ACES, Berkshire Bank, CREC, EASTCONN, ATECH, NEAT, SCSU, SERC and UCP

On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Congress and the disability community celebrates National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day. The day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognizes the innovation of researchers, educators, and the dedication of AT experts whose knowledge and dedication make a meaningful difference with their critical work.

 The CT Tech Act Project expresses sincere appreciation to all our Assistive Technology Partners throughout our local communities. Your collaboration and efforts are invaluable in ensuring these essential resources reach the individuals who need them most.

 Let’s take this opportunity to raise awareness about the profound impact that you and assistive technology can have.

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Register Now for CT’s AT Conference ! May 6 & 7, 2024

Tech Tools for Life AT conference logo

Tech Tools for Life Assistive Tech at its Best!

When: May 6th & 7th, 2024

Where: Omni Hotel, New Haven, CT.

Meet, network, learn & share with people advancing independent living through technology.

Register now at the Early Bird rate at this link: https://atechconference.org  and come back often to stay informed on:

  • Conference sessions
  • Speaker Announcements
  • Exhibitors, and
  • Sponsors

ATECH Conference 2024 is sponsored by the CT Tech Act Project & the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities.

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Announcement News and Events

The Assistive Technology Industry Association – Conference 2024

Written by Arlene Lugo, CT Tech Act Project Program Director

Every year ATIA puts on an amazing national conference in Florida where Assistive Technology professionals, exhibitors, individuals with disabilities, family members and many others come together to learn about trends in Assistive Technology services, see and interact with new AT devices, learn about services and programs and as ATIA says “connect, discover and inspire.” According to ATIA, this conference which took place at the end of January, hosted over 5100 attendees, in person and virtually. They had over 500 speakers across more than 350 sessions and about 125 exhibitors.

Some of the CT Tech Act Project’s AT Partners made it to the in-person event! Pam Fields, Founder & CEO of ATECH pictured here, had a table in the Exhibit Hall. Not only was she able to participate in the in-person events network with so many, she promoted CT’s upcoming Assistive Technology conference – Tech Tools for Life, Assistive Technology at its Best, this May.

Pam Fields at ATIA Exhibitor Hall

Shannon Taber, Director, Inclusion & Accessibility at UCP of Eastern CT was selected to do a poster section where she highlighted the great work we are doing in CT with our Bridging the Digital Divide program. This was part of ATIA’s AT & Aging track, and this was the first year they’ve offered sessions in theme.

I was able to participate in ATIA virtually, and one of the sessions that stood out for me was the “What’s New with Apple Accessibility?” If you do one thing while reading this article, it has to be watching this video about Apple’s new feature Personal Voice and Live Speech. The video called “The Lost Voice” gave me chills. It was so moving!

Apple continues to innovate, introducing so many new Accessibility features. I also found this video called “The Greatest” with individuals with disabilities showing how they actually use Apple and their accessibility features in ways that work best for them. Since Shannon was at ATIA, I texted her right away about going to visit the Apple Experience room where participants could try out all of the built-in accessibility features. She sent me this selfie (pictured in the center, below) taken with the presenters, Janette Barrios, Senior Manager and Gus Shitama, Marketing Specialist who both work for Apple’s Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives department.

Shannon Taber with presenters from Apple's Accessibilty session

Of her experience, Shannon stated, “To be honest, there were so many new tools available to see andtouch, I could have spent days walking from exhibitor to exhibitor.” This made me wish I had attended ATIA in person … maybe next year.

Until then, one more resource I want to share with you is Apple’s Accessibility playlist on YouTube which provides nearly 50 short videos about how to use their various accessibility features. I hope you find these as useful as I do.

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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