Co-authored by Ann Bedard, EASTCONN and Meredith Daggett Sydney Daggett’s early life started in Texas alongside her twin sister, Maddie. Early on, her family noticed Syd was globally delayed. All of the typical milestones that babies and toddlers experience came much later for Sydney. Years of Birth-to-Three services, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech [...]
by Stacey Fulton, EASTCONN A student diagnosed with Dyslexia, poor phonological awareness, impacted by ADHD and speech apraxia was referred to EASTCONN for an AT evaluation, specifically focused on written expression. (The student was using some tools for accessing text and more recommendations were added for reading as a result of the evaluation.) Her handwriting [...]
Seniors - even those with no computer experience - have gained valuable skills through the Stay Connected program. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Nancy, an older adult living independently in her own home, was beginning to feel socially isolated as she was unable to get together with her friends for their [...]
How were you chosen to give the Edwin and Esther Prentke Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Distinguished Lecture at ATIA? I was nominated by Celeste Helling, a Charlotte based SLP who works at the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP). Celeste submitted a written nomination to the review committee for the lecture. The review committee [...]
By Stacey Fulton, OTR/ATP, EASTCONN As the CT Tech Act Project embraces new grant initiatives, the Stay Connected program has also been in full swing. Stay Connected is a statewide program operated out of the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services in collaboration with the State Unit on Aging and the CT Tech Act [...]
by Kristopher Thompson, NEAT, Smart Technology Specialist A few weeks ago, Independence Northwest reached out to me with an urgent referral for the “Stay Connected” program. The referral was for a woman who, like many facing social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, lived alone and had mobility challenges that prevented her from getting out to [...]
by Amy Norton, EASTCONN Assistive Technology Specialist One of the best parts of working with consumers as part of “Stay Connected” is finding ways to help make life easier for people, especially during these trying times. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a very lovely woman in CT, who is the primary caregiver [...]
by Jen Lortie, UCP Assistive Technology Specialist In mid-September, assistive technology specialists at UCP of Eastern CT worked with Connecticut resident Nancy Robertson through the “Stay Connected” program to provide her with computer training, so she could connect with her friends and community during COVID-19. One big challenge? Ms. Robertson had never used a computer [...]
by EASTCONN’s Ann Bedard, M.S., CCC-SLP, Assistive Technology Specialist/ Speech-Language Pathologist The TouchChat app was recently trialed through EASTCONN’s AT Lending Library by Chris, a transition-age student with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Several AAC options were ruled-out prior to Chris’s device trials, after matching specific software design features to his abilities and needs. For example, Chris had [...]
Written by JoAnne Lambert, M.S. CCC/SLP, EASTCONN Accessibility. Independence. Important for all, but especially important for individuals with disabilities who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Through a grant obtained by the Eastford School District, two Amazon Alexa Smart Speakers were purchased for use by a student who uses an AAC device to aid in [...]
