Category: Announcement

Accessible Pharmacy Services Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program

Post author By Arlene Lugo
Post date February 13, 2024
No Comments on Accessible Pharmacy Services Virtual 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

Have a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes
Receive a high-risk result on a Prediabetes Risk Test

Goals:

Lose weight through healthy eating
Increase physical activity
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

Announcement News and Events

ATIA 2024 – A Fantastic Learning Experience!

Post author By Arlene Lugo
Post date February 13, 2024
No Comments on ATIA 2024 – A Fantastic Learning Experience!

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.

Tags AAC, Access, Assistive Technology, AT Awareness, AT for Community Living, AT for Education, AT for Work, Training

Announcement News and Events

Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate at Southern Connecticut State University

Post author By Arlene Lugo
Post date February 13, 2024
No Comments on Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate at Southern Connecticut State University

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.

Tags Assistive Technology

Announcement News and Events

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Success Story

Post author By Arlene Lugo
Post date February 13, 2024
No Comments on Bridging the Digital Divide: A Success Story

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.

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.

Tags AT for Community Living, Bridging the Digital Divide, Tablets

Announcement News and Events

CT Centers for Independent Living – Tech Coach Program

Post author By Arlene Lugo
Post date September 29, 2023
No Comments on CT Centers for Independent Living – Tech Coach Program

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.

Tags AT Training, Digital Divide

Announcement News and Events

CTTAP Has a New 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’.

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.

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!

Tags AT Awareness

Announcement News and Events

New Program Alert: Bridging the Digital Divide

Post author By ttrech_conccutx90
Post date October 28, 2022

A collaboration between the Department of Aging & Disability Services (ADS) State Unit on Aging & the CT Tech Act Project (CTTAP).

This 2-year pilot program allows us to have a full-time Digital Divide Coordinator (DDC) at two of our community AT Partner agencies: the NEAT Center at Oak Hill & UCP of Eastern CT.

Our goal is to help bridge the digital divide by providing one-on-one or group services to adults with disabilities (18 and older) and aging adults (60 and older).

Services to individuals includes:

Increased access to technology & technology use
Providing tech support, troubleshooting, & teaching the use of built-in device accessibility features
Increasing access to the community, virtual programming & telehealth, reducing social isolation
Connecting Individuals to community resources for ongoing supports
Providing tablet technology (with or without hotspot) to individuals 60 & older, if eligible

Why connect with a DDC?

If you or an individual you work with has availability to technology, but struggles to use it and would benefit from some training & support, such as:

Connecting to their Wi-Fi
Learning to use social media to connect to family and friends
Learning to use virtual platforms like Zoom, Teams or virtual community services
Learning how to use built-in accessibility features in their devices – speech to text, magnification, text to speech, etc.
And more …

Services to Organizations includes:

Providing training to entities, such as staff at senior and community centers, libraries, and others who serve the same population, helping them provide access and tech support to their participants.

Why connect your agency to a DDC?

If your organization serves adults with disabilities or individuals 60 and older and you/your staff could benefit from training to be able to support your clients, such as:

Learning how to set up built-in accessibility features on your technology or your clients’ technology
Learning how to set your clients up with virtual platforms or your virtual services
Helping your clients use social media or other internet activities (i.e. online grocery shopping, accessing eBooks, connecting with friends & family etc.)

Contacts:

Contact the CT Tech Act Project for more information by sending an email via our website or by calling 860-803-0588. You can contact a DDC directly at the following:

NEAT Center – serving northwest, northeast and north central CT: call 860-286-3119 or email William.Seaman@oakhillct.org

UCP of Eastern CT – serving southwest, southeast and south central CT: call 860-288-9520 or email DDC@ucpect.org

The Connecticut Bridging the Digital Divide program is funded by the federal Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Community Living, Expanding the Public Health Workforce within the Disability Network.

Tags Aging Adults, AT for Community Living, Broadband Access, Digital Divide, Individuals with Disabilities, Tablets

Announcement ICT Accessibility News and Events

Excellent Resources from the AT3 Center

Post author By ttrech_conccutx90
Post date October 28, 2022

by Arlene Lugo, Program Director, CTTAP

The National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center, also known as AT3, offers a wide array of resources on the AT3 Center website.

If you haven’t had a chance to take a look around I encourage you to do so. I’d like to call out two of the newer and very helpful resources:

Free, self-directed Digital Accessibility Courses – three courses are now available with more to come! The courses include:

- “Accessibility in Microsoft Word,”
- “Web Accessibility Testing: Basic” and
- “Accessible Web Design & Content Authoring”

2. Explore AT – “a clearinghouse for information and resources on many different assistive technologies. You can find useful resources arranged by activity and disability.”

Hope you will take a look around!

Tags Accessibility, Resources, Training

Announcement News and Events

SCSU New Assistive Technology Certificate

Post author By ttrech_conccutx90
Post date July 12, 2022

Written by Lauren Tucker, Ed.D.

Southern Connecticut State University is excited to be offering an Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate (ATC) starting Fall 2022. This 12-credit program focuses on assistive technology (AT) across the lifespan through four hybrid graduate courses with hands-on project-based learning experiences.

Also, this program is ideal for any professionals supporting students or adults with disabilities or aging individuals who would like to learn more about assistive technology. One course reviews assistive technology for reading, writing, math, and executive functioning tasks.

Another focuses on AT for access across multiple environments (school, community and home, for example). The AT Assessment course introduces the AT assessment process including various approaches, formats, report writing, and implementation. In addition, the final course is an on-campus assistive technology clinic, where AT evaluations and trainings are conducted with members of the community. Interested in what a typical class is like? Check out our Instagram account: @scsuassitivetech. The hybrid approach to learning focuses on-campus sessions on project-based learning through technology exploration, programming, and creation.

In addition to the graduate certificate, a series of five digital badges will be awarded as each course is completed. Digital badges can be utilized on email signatures, resumés, and profiles to demonstrate specific skill sets and expertise developed through the courses.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Lauren Tucker (tuckerL7@southernct.edu). You can also learn more on our website: https://catalog.southernct.edu/graduate/programs-and-degrees/assistive-technology-certificate.html.

Tags Professional Development

Announcement News and Events Uncategorized

Thank You to the CT Tech Act Project AT Partners!

Post author By ttrech_conccutx90
Post date April 5, 2022

AT Awareness Day is also a day to give thanks and recognize Assistive Technology professionals. The CT Tech Act Project is extremely grateful to our community AT Partners whose staff do a fantastic job providing AT services to individuals with disabilities and aging adults in Connecticut!

CREC: Assistive Technology Services