The NEAT team helps people learn more about the benefits of assistive technology (AT). Our excitement soars at the opportunity to demonstrate the powerful impact AT can have on the lives of individuals with different and unique abilities.
Our AT presentations, demonstrations and webinars are innovative and educational in nature. We strive to provide material in an accessible and relatable manner.
Upcoming Webinars- Register Today!
AAC Evaluations: Part 1 - The Process
In Part 1 of this two-part webinar series, we will review the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation process. Although AAC evaluations may look different at a school, hospital, clinic, or in early intervention, the process should always include several important parts. This presentation will review how to structure an AAC evaluation, including involving the entire team, conducting device trials, and deciding how to obtain the recommended device and accessories.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the team approach to AAC evaluations.
- Learn how to obtain AAC devices to trial.
- Identify the ways that AAC devices and accessories can be funded and procured, including through medical insurance funding.
NEAT Presenter: Liz O’Brien, AAC Specialist, SLP
Audience: Birth to Three/Early Intervention, Education, Adults
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST
Fee: FREE for NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Registration Link: https://oakhillct.wufoo.com/forms/m1hczgni1esdalb/
Alexa Made Easy: Simple Setup, Usage, and Smart Home Integration
This webinar provides practical guidance on using Amazon Alexa for individuals of all abilities. We will cover the basics of setting up an Alexa device, exploring its features, and integrating it with smart home technology. You will learn how to set up Alexa, with instructions for getting your device up and running, tips on how to use voice commands and adjust settings to suit the users’ needs. We will also explore 3rd party products which can be added to increase independence and enhance daily living and accessibility.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to set up a new Alexa device
- Understand how to effectively use voice commands
- Learn the process to integrate 3rd Understand how to effectively use voice commands
NEAT Presenter: Kristen Gilfeather, AT Manager
Audience: Education, Adult, Aging
Date and Time: Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 6:00-7:00 pm EST
Fee: FREE for NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Registration Link: https://oakhillct.wufoo.com/forms/m1t3cja11q9za18/
AAC Evaluations: Part 2 - Feature Matching
The range of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, apps, and vocabularies, available on the market is overwhelming. When there are more options than ever before, how do you know which systems to consider? A solid understanding of the AAC options that are out there, along with a comprehensive feature matching and trialing process, results in appropriate recommendations. This webinar will touch on many AAC options and compare important features related to the domains of language skills, vision, hearing, and physical access.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to select AAC devices and vocabularies to trial during an evaluation.
- Understand the characteristics of a robust AAC language system.
- Discuss AAC solutions that are available for those with complex profiles, including vision, hearing, and motor access needs.
NEAT Presenter: Margie Hislop, AAC Specialist, SLP
Audience: Birth to Three/Early Intervention, Education, Adults
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST
Fee: FREE for NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Registration Link: https://oakhillct.wufoo.com/forms/m19qlzjn06ltsvq/
Getting the Most Out of Google Read & Write: A Chrome Tutorial for Enhanced Efficiency
This webinar will walk through the key features of Google Read & Write for Chrome. Offering practical implementation suggestions within the classroom to increase student performance, participation, and inclusion.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding key features
- Ability to customize settings
- How to implement GRW into the classroom
NEAT Presenter: Heather Butterfield, AT Specialist
Audience: Education
Date and Time: Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 3:00-4:00 pm EST
Fee: FREE for NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Registration Link: https://oakhillct.wufoo.com/forms/m82gnf9012fd29/
Exclusive, Archived Webinars for NEAT Members Only
A bank of AT and AAC resources and short, online training videos are provided to NEAT members with a private link. These videos can help you learn and develop your AT skills in short, personalized increments. These are a great way to learn more about AT recommendations provided in an AT evaluation or simply catch up on new features of various AT tools.
Because NEAT offers an annual membership, some benefits are included. To access these videos you will need to 1st, have a membership, and 2nd, register as a member. After your online registration, you will receive a welcome email and a member password to this video showcase. Let us know if you need access here.
If you already know where you’re going, check out the showcase here.
Some examples of exciting webinars you’ll find in the Showcase include:
Assistive Technology on a Shoestring
Description: Discover off-the-shelf products that are readily available at your fingertips and learn to turn them into functional assistive technologies for those with various disabilities! Benefiting individuals with low vision, minimal dexterity, sensory processing, and learning disabilities. These do-it-yourself no tech/low-tech assistive technology supports are affordable and are low cost. This webinar will rekindle your passion, allow you to revamp your toolkits, and encourage you to put them in place right away!
Using Voice Control on Apple Devices
Description: Learn the basics about the Voice Control setting on macOS and iOS devices. Voice Control can be used to navigate the device without the use of touch, or a mouse or keyboard. This feature allows users to have hand free access to their devices. See how synthesized speech can be used activate Voice Control; therefore, allowing non-speaking individuals, and those with unintelligible speech to use Voice Control.
Free Webinars
The following webinars are FREE for everyone! To view, click here.
Communicating with People with Disabilities in Crisis Situations
Description: This presentation will continue to develop mandated reporters’ skills and confidence in engaging with children and adults with communication disabilities. This presentation will include a discussion of interaction and communication strategies to use during emergency situations related to certain disability characteristics (e.g., speech/language disorders, social language challenges, sensory challenges, etc.). Also included is a brief review of the prevalence of sexual assault and incarceration rates for individuals with developmental disabilities. Attendees will be educated on use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and provided with customized low-tech (printable) communication boards that could be utilized in real situations.
Presented by: NEAT AAC Specialists and Speech Language Pathologists
Learning More About Your SDE-Sponsored NEAT Subscription
Description: NEAT believes the most sustainable quality assurance plan is one that grows organically within each school district. To support this growth NEAT is offering the following professional development events geared specifically towards the needs of school-based teams. This will provide new information about subscription and membership benefits, explore best practices, and reinforce concepts for districts actively seeking to build their AT capacity.
Presented by: NEAT’s Director of AT Services, Elena Hurlburt
Learn More About Your 2023-2024 NEAT Membership Benefits
Description: NEAT Members receive exclusive access to assistive technology resources and benefits. Thanks to generous sponsorship from the CT State Department of Education, all CT LEAs will continue to receive NEAT Membership benefits at no cost to them during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. These resources can help professionals build their own AT skillsets and offer a manageable way for teams to get started with the AT consideration and implementation processes for individual students. Join Elena Hurlburt, Director of AT Services, as she explains the various opportunities available to CT LEAs and the way to get started with accessing these benefits right away!
Presented by: NEAT’s Director of AT Services, Elena Hurlburt
Tech Tips and Demos
NEAT’s “Tech Tips & Demos” is a series of short demo videos, conducted by our brilliant AT and AAC Specialists and Coaches. We’ve made these available to the public through the generous sponsorship of the CT Tech Act Project.
Take an enjoyable journey through our growing list of videos. All of which includes clear, concise overviews of a variety of new and current Assistive Technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication devices and strategies. Explore today!
Hire Us for Personalized Services
Let us create a personalized presentation or webinar for you.
- We can provide a general overview of AT or meet the specific needs of your group.
- AT experts can provide information and resources on many topics including learning disabilities, cognitive and physical disabilities, visual and communication impairments, digital and gaming accessibility, smart home, etc.
- Great for college students, parent support groups, school districts, human service professionals, etc.
- Email us at CentersConnect@oakhillct.org for more information.
*Note: If your CT school district is part of Cohort C, as identified by the State Dept. of Education, you have the opportunity for personalized, professional development through your NEAT Subscription, at no cost to you. A list of districts in Cohort C, as well as other benefits.