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
Packing A Punch With AT: Getting The Most Out Of Your AT Resources And Supports!
Hosted by: Nicole Feeney, Director of NEAT
Dates & Time: 10am - 12pm, choose from September 23rd, October 2nd or October 15th
Description: This is a free, 2-hour webinar available to professionals who work in the Connecticut school districts of Cohorts A & C (if you are unsure of the cohort your school district belongs to, please email CentersConnect@oakhillct.org). This webinar will get you started with your SDE-sponsored subscription with NEAT, build your capacity and review important resources for your team and district.
Sign up for Packing A Punch here!
October 2020 Blindness Awareness Series
To bring attention to Blindness Awareness month, we are going to have 4 short informational webinars hosted by Steve Famiglietti, NEAT's Blind Services Vocational Manager, at 10am every Wednesday during October. Like all of our webinars, these will be free to NEAT members. For non-members, all 4 webinars together as a package will be $25. Please see the classes and registration below!
October 7 - The Facts About Braille
Come learn a few interesting facts about Braille, the invention of Braille and see a few pieces of technology that allow individuals the ability to read and write in Braille.
October 14 - The White Cane And The Guide Dog
Come see how the white cane is used and how a guide dog can help a person with visual impairments.
October 21 - What Is A Screen Reader And Who Can Use One?
Come experience screen readers and hear how they read. Learn how a person interacts with a screen reader to accomplish tasks without using a computer mouse.
October 28 - My Favorite Tech Jewels!
I will give some demonstrations of my favorite pieces of technology that I use in my daily life. You will see a short video and hear my story behind each piece of technology.
Sign Up For The Blindness Awareness Series
What's New In iOS 14
Hosted by: Steve Famiglietti, Blind Services Vocational Manager
Date & Time: 12pm - 1pm; October 13, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Description: Please come join us for some demonstrations of the highlights of iOs 14 and learn some of the new features available for those people with low vision and blindness.
Sign Up For What's New In iOS 14 Here
Gaming Accessibility: Learning The Basics, How To Go Further And How To Advocate
Hosted by: Adam Kosakowski, AT Specialist
Date & Time: 10am - 11am; October 16, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Description: Are you game developer new to gaming accessibility? Are you a parent of a gamer with disabilities and want to learn what makes a game accessible? Are you a gamer who wants to learn what some games are doing to increase accessibility? This webinar will teach the three foundational accessibility pieces each game should feature. After building that foundation, we’ll explore how games can go further to make their game as accessible as possible. Then, we’ll discuss advocacy and how this knowledge can be used to promote gaming accessibility for all.
Sign Up For Gaming Accessibility Here
Gaming With Motor Disabilities: How Accessibility Adds Inclusive And Therapeutic Values
Hosted by: Special Guest Antonio Martinez
Date & Time: 10am - 11am; October 23, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Host Bio: Based in Spain, Antonio Martinez is a disabled gamer with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type-3. Games always were a big part of his life since he was a kid. Growing up he studied computer programming and English at the local university. It is as an accessibility advocate in gaming that he feels he can help others to enjoy life a bit more. He founded his own review site and works with a team of collaborators from other aspects of disability to spread awareness.
Description: Many people with motor disabilities find gaming is not accessible for them. Despite the barriers, there are ways for people to take part in this activity that transcends pure entertainment. This talk will explore the benefits for body and mind, the socialization and inclusion opportunities, and explain how game mechanics and assistive tools can support people to achieve this goal.
Sign Up For Gaming With Motor Disabilities Here
Overview And Implementation Of NeuroNode Trilogy System
Hosted by: Special Guest Christie Rowzee, Control Bionics
Date & Time: 12pm - 1pm; November 4, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Description: At the heart of Control Bionics is its NeuroNode Product Line, the world's leading wearable s-EMG/Spatial sensor. In this presentation, we will learn basic principles of the NeuroNode product line and discuss its use and target population. Features of the multi-modal access system will be demonstrated with discussions on use for communication and in activities of daily living. Two modes for activation, EMG and Spatial, will be demonstrated within our controller application in live time.
Sign Up For NeuroNode Trilogy System
What's New In JAWS For Windows Screen Reader 2021
Hosted by: Steve Famiglietti, Blind Services Vocational Manager
Date & Time: 12pm - 1pm; November 5, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Description: Please come join us for some demonstrations of the newest features found in JAWS for Windows screen reader, version 2021.
Sign Up For What's New In JAWS Here
Dictation 101
Hosted by: Adam Kosakowski, AT Specialist
Date & Time: 10am - 11am; November 11, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Description: Learn some awesome free dictation options available to you right now! This webinar will cover some of the ins and outs to make you a quick dictation pro and enable you to teach your students how to become pros themselves.
Sign Up For Dictation 101 Here
Apple Pencil And iPad: Better Together
Hosted by: Jamie Martin, AT Specialist
Date & Time: 12pm - 1pm; November 20, 2020
Price: Free For NEAT members, $25 For General Public
Description: Steve Jobs once said, “Who wants a stylus? You have to get 'em and put 'em away and you lose 'em. Yuck.” He was clearly not a fan in the early days of Apple’s touchscreen devices. But if he had been able to see the development of the Apple Pencil, he may have thought differently. The Apple Pencil is an advanced stylus designed to work with the latest iterations of the iPad. It provides fine-point precision when drawing or writing by hand on the screen, and it can be a useful access method for a variety of users. This webinar will focus on a number of uses for the Apple Pencil, including inputting text with the new Scribble feature of iPadOS 14, as well as using it with a handful of AT-related apps such as Notability, MyScript Calculator, and Handwriting Keyboard.
Sign Up For Apple Pencil And iPad Here
Recently Recorded & Archived Webinars
You can visit our free webinar page here to view previously recorded classes
If you are looking for something specific, please visit one of our pages that focus on specialized topics (some of these may be password protected for member-only access):
Microsoft For Learning Disabilities
Chrome For Learning Disabilities
iPad For Learning Disabilities
Share with your friends, students and colleagues. Help us spread the word!
Exclusive Online Resources - 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 training video library. These are shorter and more focused that our ongoing webinars. Let us know if you need access here. Follow the links below.
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.