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
What Is Robot-Assisted Instruction, How It Works, And Why It Is Successful In Times Of COVID
Date: September 29, 2021 | 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Presented By: Guest representatives from MOVIA Robotics, Inc.
*Tim Gifford, Founder and Chief Scientist
*Rob Parenti, Chief Education Officer
*Lisa Lichtenstein, Therapist
*Yitty Rimmer, Therapist
Cost: FREE to all participants
Description: This webinar will introduce Robot-Assisted Instruction (RAI) and provide information on the research and efficacy behind MOVIA's assistive technology tool. Participants will hear from expert educators and therapists on how the application of RAI in schools, therapy organizations, and homes is helping children and adults shorten the timeline to progress by developing social-emotional, daily living, and academic skills. They will also learn how RAI has been assisting individual during the pandemic by preventing learning loss and aid in remote learning.
Register For What Is Robot-Assisted Instruction Here
Getting The Most Bang For The Bucks! An Exploration Of Inexpensive Tools To Support Low Vision Or Blindness
Date: October 7, 2021 | 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Presented By: Steve Famiglietti; Blind Services Vocational Manager
Cost: FREE to NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Description: October is Blindness Awareness Month. To celebrate, let us take a look at some items that are low cost that can make a large difference for people with low vision or blindness. During this presentation, I will highlight ten items which have made great impacts on the lives of many people over the years. All of the items that will be shown will cost less than $100.00!
Register For Getting The Most Bang For The Bucks Here
Using AT To Work With PDF Documents And Worksheets Part 1: Working With PDFs On Chromebook
Date: October 13, 2021 | 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Presented By: Jamie Martin; AT Specialist
Cost: FREE to NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Description: During the 2020-2021 school year, PDF files were in the spotlight. Remote and hybrid learning models necessitated more work to be completed digitally, and teachers often provided learning materials to their students in PDF format. That practice will likely continue, even as students return to classrooms and schools start to feel “normal” again. This three-part webinar series focuses on specific assistive technology tools that can help students with (and without) disabilities read and annotate PDF documents and worksheets with greater efficiency and independence.
There are multiple Chrome tools that allow students to use familiar AT features like text-to-speech, dictation, and word prediction while working with PDF documents. This webinar will highlight practical uses for tools like Texthelp PDF Reader, Snap&Read Universal, and Kami for Google Chrome.
Register For Using AT To Work With PDF Here
#SevenTimes Series – Communication and Education: Tools For Ending The Sexual Assault Epidemic For People With I/DD
Date: October 20, 21, and 22, 2021 | 12:00pm-1:30pm EST
Cost: FREE to the general public
Description: Oak Hill, with generous sponsorship from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism and the CT Tech Act Project, is taking action against this statistic by hosting a free awareness and skill-building webinar series. Over the course of three lunch hour sessions, professionals with a variety of backgrounds will discuss the barriers and unique safety risks that individuals with autism and other disabilities face. Participants will learn strategies for prevention, response, and reporting, as well as ways to build a culture of consent that supports safe, healthy, fulfilling relationships of all kinds. Resources, including assistive technology suggestions, will be shared to offer participants next steps for collectively breaking down these barriers. Human services professionals, school teams, legal advocates, administrators, family members, and more are all invited to join the conversation.
Part 1 – Wednesday, October 20th
"Knowledge is Power – Using Education to Prevent Violence and Support Healthy Relationships”
Brenna Doyle, MA, MS, Sexual Health Educator and Consultant for CRSE
Part 2 – Thursday, October 21st
“Attacking the Sexual Assault Epidemic with Communication”
Elena Fader, M.A. CCC-SLP, Director of Assistive Technology Services at NEAT
Part 3 – Friday, October 22nd
Expert Panelist Discussion
Robin Moyher, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA - Moyher Applied Behavior Analysis Consulting
Kaitlyn Fenner, LCSW - Program Manager-Outpatient Services at Marne Street Clinic/Clifford Beers
Lisa Murphy-Cipolla, LMFT - Clinical Services Coordinator, Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center of Saint Francis Hospital
Monica Madigan, LCSW - Lead Social Worker-Forensic Interviewer at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center
Register For The #SevenTimes Series
Heeeey Switch! Different Types Of Switches And Who Can Use Them
Date: October 27, 2021 | 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Presented By: Ramon Hernandez; AT Specialist
Cost: FREE to NEAT Members; $25 for general public
Description: Switches. Switches. Switches. You use them at home, at work, and even while you are driving. But what if I told you, I could offer you an Assistive Technology tool to turn on a toy for a child with mobility challenges or Voice Output Device for an adult with communication differences? The presenter will demonstrate the numerous types of switches in NEAT’s Lending Library and then some. I will explain how they are used and, who they are perfect for. Time to Master the Switch!
Register For Heeey Switch! Here
Click here to see our entire 2021-2022 webinar schedule
Registration for future dates coming soon, please check back or watch out for our newsletters!
Recently Recorded & Archived Webinars
Our newest recorded 2021-2022 Educational and Professional Development webinars can be found here. This page is password protected. If you are a member and do not have the password, please reach out to CentersConnect@oakhillct.org to get it.
Our recorded 2020-2021 Lunch & Learn webinars can be found here, this page is also password protected.
We have a free webinar page here to view previously recorded classes that are open to the public.
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):
- Our Lending Library
- Digital Accessibility
- Microsoft For Learning Disabilities
- Special Education
- Tools For AAC
- Chrome For Learning Disabilities
- iPad For Learning Disabilities
- Smart Home
- Transition
- Guide Dogs
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Special Prerecorded Webinar: Flipgrid and Padlet: The Dynamic Duo
Presented by Kathy Schrock, Educational Technologist & Hosted by The NEAT Center
Available, at NO COST, to NEAT Members – email: Samantha.Marut@oakhillct.org for the link and password
Check out this engaging prerecorded, webinar by the one and only Kathy Schrock. Her work in Educational Technology is unmatched by most and she’s incredibly insightful about the impact of technology in the classroom. Here she will discuss and demonstrate two popular educational tools: Padlet and Flipgrid. They can also be used in ways the creators never intended! Come learn how Padlet and Flipgrid can support teaching and learning across the curriculum, promote collaboration and communication, and be used as both formative and summative assessments. You will come away from this session with tons of creative and unique ideas for the use of these two popular and powerful tools! You will also find a helpful homework guide (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WyfiglvKpPNSYrHiiQYiYYXkhiqK3iIi/view?usp=sharing) for yourself to support your learning process and a Padlet for you demonstrate to your peers what you’ve created (https://padlet.com/kathyschrock/neat).
- @kathyschrock
https://kathyschrock.net https://schrockguide.net
- @kathyschrock
2 Minute Tuesdays
NEAT’s “2 Minute Tuesdays” is a YouTube web series, hosted by AT Specialist Ramón Hernández, where he entertains and instructs the general public of new and current Assistive Technology devices and strategies within a 2-minute span, give or take.
Ramón creates videos based on AT within Apple’s upcoming iOS 15, Accessibility in Disney Parks, and 3 Categories of AT: Low-Tech, Mid-Tech, and High-Tech.
Keep up with NEAT’s 2 Minute Tuesdays by following @NEATWithRamon on Twitter and/or checking out his YouTube playlist here to learn about the world of Assistive Technology.
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.