Tag: AT Awareness
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!
Enjoy our conference photos on the CT Tech Act Project page on Facebook.
We had a great turnout for the recent Virtual Reality In-person Demo with Bo Zamfir from SCSU, Center for Educational & Assistive Technology & Matt Berkowitz from FloreoVR. It was wonderful to have so many of our community AT Partners together. The participation, energy, questions and feedback were amazing!
Virtual Reality is a great way to provide immersive experiences, whether it’s for younger, neurodivergent individuals or teenagers and adults learning training skills, pre-vocational services, or job readiness. The CT Tech Act Project and SCSU/CEAT will work together to have multiple VR headsets along with the FloreoVR and another virtual reality software program called BodySwap available for CT Tech Act Project AT Partner agencies to borrow and use with their students and adults with disabilities, providing greater access to this cutting-edge technology.
We also plan to work with our AT partners who have 3D printers to create several adaptive cuffs to allow users with varying abilities be able to hold and utilize the controllers.
If you are an individual who is interested in trying a virtual reality headset contact an AT Partner agency near you.
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.
Want to share your articles, information and/or upcoming event?
We would love to hear from you & include your contributions in the next CTTAP News e-newsletter and on our blog! Article Submission Guidelines are as follows:
- Article topics should be related to Assistive Technology devices and or services, programs, success stories, new trends in AT or a spotlight on a specific device.
- The e-newsletter will contain one feature article of 1,200-2,000 words and several general articles.
- Articles related to Digital Accessibility tips are welcome!
- Preference is given to articles that include pictures. All pictures must include alt tags provided by the author.
- Please include details such as “article written by”, name, title, organization, etc.
- Upcoming events must include as much information as possible regarding target audience, location, website, and cost of the event.
- Articles will be vetted by our Team and may be included in the next e-newsletter and our blog. You will be notified if your articles is selected.
Want to discuss your ideas? Feel free to use this link Contact Us to send us an email.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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!