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Tag: Assistive Technology

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Announcement News and Events

Tech Tools For Life Conference 2027

Tech Tools for Life AT conference logo
Save the Date

If you haven’t already, make sure to mark your calendar:

Tech Tools For Life Conference 2027
Monday, June 7, 2027
Bristol Event Center
112 Century Drive
Bristol, CT

Tickets will be released for purchase in late Winter 2026 or early Spring 2027.

Call for Proposals – Now Open!

The call for proposals is now open! This year’s conference will focus on tracks of assistive technology for independent living, employment, and education. Presentations will be 60 minutes during breakout sessions, and a total of 15 presentations will be accepted for the 2027 conference. We especially welcome submissions that:
• Share unique stories, perspectives, practices, or programs
• Foster discussion and collaboration across disciplines or communities
• Engage participants in meaningful and interactive ways
Please share this call with colleagues and others who may be interested in participating.

Submit your presentation proposal! 

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Tech Tools for Life is grateful to host such a dynamic event that brings together individuals with disabilities, service providers, educators, and assistive technology professionals for a day learning, discovery, and connection – and we wouldn’t be able to do it without your support!

This year we have expanded our opportunities for engagement to include session sponsorships and conference advertising. All information regarding sponsor and exhibitor options can be found in the Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus.

Submit your Sponsorship engagement or register as an Exhibitor.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to a captivating 2027 conference experience!

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Announcement

Bridging the Digital Divide Returns!

Bridging the Digital Divide Logo

The Bridging the Digital Divide (BDD) Program is back and is made possible by the State of CT Rural Healthcare Transformation Program in partnership with the CT Tech Act Project.

Our goal is to help bridge the digital divide by providing free digital literacy services to adults with disabilities (18 and older) and aging adults (60 and older) who live in rural CT towns.

What is the Bridging the Digital Divide Program?

Bridging the Digital Divide helps seniors and adults with disabilities who live in rural towns across CT build the skills, confidence, and access they need to use technology in everyday life. With our partners at the NEAT Center at Oak Hill and UCP of Eastern CT we provide digital literacy training, one-on-one and group technology support, and Assistive Technology (AT) devices tailored to each person’s needs – helping to bridge the Digital Divide, expand access to telehealth and other virtual services, and reduce social isolation.

What Type of Training and Support is provided?

Our training and support can include basic technology set-up and operation, connecting to WiFi, using built-in accessibility features, and so much more! We want to help you access community programs, use telehealth, order groceries and shop online, and stay connected to your community, family and friends. We also share practical guidance on online safety and AI tools.
When appropriate, we disseminate assistive technology devices and technology based on individual goals and needs. These services can be provided in your home or can take place at libraries, senior centers, assisted living facilities, and community centers.

How do I know if I live in an Eligible Rural Town?

To find out if you live in an eligible rural town in CT visit the BDD Eligible Towns webpage at CTtechact.com/bdd-eligibletowns. Please review the Eligible Towns webpage to confirm eligibility and to see which agency you can contact to begin the process of receiving BDD services.

How Can Senior Centers & Other Community Programs get involved with BDD?

We also partner with local programs that serve our rural communities—such as public libraries, community centers, senior centers, assisted living centers, and similar organizations—by providing technical guidance and train-the-trainer sessions to help staff better support their clientele. Your program can receive services if located in an eligible town or if you serve individuals who live in one of the eligible towns listed at CTtechact.com/bdd-eligibletowns.

For questions about the Bridging the Digital Divide Program, contact Amy Rubin Mindell, BDD Program Manager, via email: Amy.Rubin-Mindell@ct.gov or phone: (959) 276-6536. Or visit our website at CTtechact.com/bridging-divide.

Bridging the Digital Divide program is operated out of the Department of Aging and Disability Services, CT Tech Act Project. This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $154,249,105.53 in Budget Period 1 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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News and Events Product Spotlight

ConnectAAC: Making Personalized Communication More Accessible

Ayana Singh stands behind an exhibitor table displaying the ConnectAAC app on a laptop and a QR code sign to try the app, with an Equal Speaks poster beside her at an event with other exhibitor tables and attendees in the background.

Written by Ayana Signh, Founder & CEO, Equal Speaks

My name is Ayana Singh, and I am a 16-year-old high school student and the founder and CEO of Equal Speaks, a youth-led nonprofit working to make communication more inclusive and accessible.

Equal Speaks began with a personal understanding of how difficult it can be for individuals and families to access consistent communication support. Seeing these challenges within my own family showed me that communication is not simply a convenience – it shapes a person’s independence, relationships, and ability to participate in everyday life. That experience motivated me to create ConnectAAC.

ConnectAAC is an AI-powered augmentative and alternative communication app designed to help people express themselves more easily. Traditional AAC systems can sometimes require users to move through several pages or categories before finding the words they need. ConnectAAC instead provides personalized, context-relevant communication suggestions based on what the user is trying to express.

For example, during a medical appointment, at school, or in a community setting, the app can present useful phrases related to that specific situation. The goal is to reduce the number of selections needed to form a response while still allowing the user to remain in control of what is communicated.

ConnectAAC is intended as an additional communication resource rather than a replacement for an individualized AAC evaluation or a professionally prescribed communication system. I hope it can complement existing supports while making flexible, personalized communication technology available to more people.

The app can be accessed through its web version at: https://connectaac-frontend.onrender.com/

ConnectAAC is also available for Android through the Google Play Store by searching for “ConnectAAC.”

To learn more about ConnectAAC, Equal Speaks, or opportunities to provide feedback and collaborate, please visit: https://www.equalspeaks.com/

At Equal Speaks, we believe every voice deserves to be heard. Through ConnectAAC, I hope to help build a future in which more people have the tools and opportunities to communicate in the ways that work best for them.

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Announcement Events News and Events

April 22, 2026 is National Assistive Technology Awareness Day!

National AT Awareness Day is April 22, 2026 The words assistive technology. everywhere. everyone one on a black background with the ATAP logo under it

National AT Awareness Day is April 22, 2026 The words assistive technology. everywhere. everyone one on a black background with the ATAP logo under it

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!

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Announcement AT Devices News and Events Smart Home Tech

Hands On, Apron’s On: Cooking Without Limits — Big Success!

Using a smart toaster during the hands on Cooking without Limits training

Living iwthout limits logo

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.

Using a smart toaster during the hands on Cooking without Limits training

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 Attendee being instructed on how to cut broccoli with one hand, during the Cooking without Limits training.all.

A variety of pans and adaptive kitchenware

Using a one handed knife during the Hands-on Cooking without Limits Training

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Announcement Events News and Events

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.
Categories
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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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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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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