Assistive Technology (AT) isn’t just wheelchairs and screen readers. It also includes tools, devices, software, remote monitoring, and everyday technology such as smart home devices and wearables, that empower people of all ages and abilities to live, learn, work, and participate fully in every aspect of life.
Why do we say everyone? Every person on the planet will either need assistive technology for themselves or know someone who does. Most are using AT right now! Our goal is to build AT awareness now, so everyone knows about it before they need it, and NO ONE goes without!
National Assistive Technology Awareness Day is April 22, 2026!
Living Without Limits hosted a module within the Tech Tools for Life Hands on Series 2026! We were very excited to be a part of this collaborative series hosted by the CT Tech Act Project and Tech Tools for Life.
On February 12, 2026, participants joined us for an interactive, hands-on assistive technology event designed to showcase cooking safety and navigation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Participants were assigned a “disability” and chose a dish to cook, then guided through various cooking stations with assistive technologies, tools, and instructions to discover solutions that make cooking accessible for all.
The ODRD RewirED podcast explores the evolving landscape of literacy, dyslexia, and reading disabilities through policy, practice, and people, bringing together expert insights, research-informed guidance, and real stories from educators, families, and students across Connecticut.
In this powerful episode, student advocate Eleanor Farquhar speaks openly about growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, the emotional toll of struggling in school, and the moment assistive technology opened the door to learning. Her story offers families and educators an authentic look at why early, individualized access to tools can shape not only academic success, but self-worth and belonging.
You can listen to the podcast through these options:
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?
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.
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…
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.
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 accommodateup 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.
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.
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
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
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!
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!
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!
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 ep 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!
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.
all.
ep 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!