Elena leads a prestigious, powerhouse team of AT and AAC Specialists who each contribute unique areas of expertise to the local, national, and global communities. Promoting AT/AAC awareness and guiding advocacy efforts within these communities lie at the heart of Elena’s career, and are evident within the evaluation, consultation, and training services that she oversees. With an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an Assistive Technology Certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she is driven by the ways that technology can empower and create opportunities for those with different abilities across the lifespan.

Samantha joins the NEAT Center at Oak Hill as Office Manager to assist and support the entire NEAT team. Her diverse background (a Bachelors in Psychology, 10 years of customer service experience and 5 years of billing and finance experience) has created a skillset adaptable to the many necessities of this role.  She will be responsible for many office undertakings including reception, billing and data collection. She will also assist with the intake of customer requests, scheduling and coordinating services, and following up for reviews and satisfaction with clients.

Samantha can be reached at:
Email at Samantha.Marut@OakHillCT.org

Jamie has been an Assistive Technology Specialist for over ten years. He specializes in finding AT solutions for students and adults with dyslexia and other learning and attention issues. Before joining the AT team at NEAT, he was an independent consultant. In that role, he traveled across the United States, working one-to-one with students, training teachers, and giving presentations. He also wrote articles on assistive technology for various websites. During his many years in education, he was an Orton-Gillingham language tutor before getting immersed in the world of assistive technology. Having a full understanding of how remediation and accommodation can work together, he developed a successful assistive technology program at The Kildonan School in Amenia, NY, an institution dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia.In addition to his work for NEAT, Jamie enjoys sharing his knowledge of assistive technology with the viewers of Understood.org. As a consultant to Understood, he regularly participates in live video chats, as well as Twitter and Facebook chats. He also writes articles and blog posts and reviews apps for the site’s Tech Finder tool.To stay current on the latest developments in assistive technology, Jamie regularly attends educational conferences, including ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) and IDA (International Dyslexia Association), and he has given many presentations at those events.

Jamie can be reached at:
Email at Jamie.Martin@OakHillCT.org.
Phone: 860-286-3166
Follow Jamie on twitter to see where he is presenting and what AT he is passionate about! @NEATWithJamie

Ramón Hernández is an Assistive Technology Specialist working with NEAT. His background includes Communication, Information Technology, Filmmaking, Marketing, and Special Education. Ramón found his love for Special Education while working as a substitute teacher for Connecticut. He then worked for 3 years at a private special education center as a Teacher’s Assistant and an Assistive Technology Assistant. After graduating from Southern Connecticut State University with a Master of Science, specializing in Assistive Technology, Ramón started working with the NEAT Center. Ramón hopes to bring his love for videography and digital media further into the field of AT.

Kristen Gilfeather is an Assistive Technology Specialist at NEAT. She developed her passion for working with special education students when she became a paraprofessional for preschool students in the public schools. She soon found her way into occupational therapy and applied her skills across the lifespan, from school-aged students to adults in a nursing home. During her time in the public schools, Kristen also developed her love for assistive technology. She began training staff on various types of assistive technology across the district. Kristen is excited to combine her knowledge of strategies for improving an individual’s participation in daily activities with her love for assistive technology to help people of all ages and abilities achieve their highest levels of independence.

Kristen can be reached at:

Email: Kristen.Gilfeather@OakHillCT.og

Follow Kristen on Twitter @NEATwithKristen

Margie Hislop, M.A., CCC-SLP - Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist

Margie Hislop is a Speech-Language Pathologist working with NEAT. She provides Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) consultations and evaluations for individuals of all ages with complex communication needs and related disabilities. Margie also offers trainings and workshops to families, caregivers, and professionals to promote community awareness of technology to support communication and independence. She attended Susquehanna University (B.S. in Psychology) and the University of Connecticut (M.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences). She is a member of ASHA Special Interest Group 12 (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and is licensed in the state of Connecticut, as well as by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

Margie can be reached at:
Email at: Margaret.Hislop@OakHillCT.org
Follow Margie on Twitter @NEATwithMargie

Liz O’Brien, M.A., CCC-SLP - Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist

Liz O’Brien is a Speech-Language Pathologist working with NEAT. She previously worked at the University of Connecticut Speech and Hearing Clinic providing speech and language treatment and conducting evaluations for children (ages 3-12). She then worked at a high school in Connecticut primarily in a specialized program for students with complex communication disorders, including augmentative alternative communication (AAC). She attended College of the Holy Cross (B.A. in Psychology and Sociology) and the University of Connecticut (M.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences). She is licensed in the state of Connecticut, as well as by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Liz is also currently pursuing a master’s degree in assistive technology (AT) from George Mason University. She is excited to combine her passion for AAC with AT to empower those with different abilities.
Liz can be reached at:
Email at: Elizabeth.Obrien@OakHillCT.org
Follow Liz on Twitter @NEATwithLiz

Margarita (Maggie) was introduced to assistive technology in 2004, when volunteering in her daughter's special needs classroom and working for Easter Seals (Birth to Three) as their Spanish translator. When her daughter's diagnosis changed to Rett Syndrome, Maggie made a promise to her daughter that she would not give up. She would be beside her to amplify her voice, advocate and learn ways to help her regain independence on everyday skills that she was losing. Maggie immediately starting volunteering in the Rett community and today is the Co-President of Rett Syndrome Angels. When she settled down in Massachusetts, her first job allowed her to become an educational advocate and as a resource coordinator learned about multi-disabilities through the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

As a child Maggie living in various European countries and she picked up the native languages quickly, at the age of 5 she spoke 4 different languages.  She learned early on the value of being emerged in an environment that allows autonomy of language.  She was encouraged over the years to explore Assistive Technology as a career by her friend Kate Ahern.  She attended the CSUN program in assistive technology and was the only "mom' in the group of professionals that had experience in augmentative communication systems. And real-life experience of living with assistive technology and challenges it can be to support it. Maggie knew immediately she was meant to be in this field and fell in love with AT. But most of all is grateful to be able to help the most vulnerable with all abilities to shine to their fullest compacity.
Maggie can be reached at Margarita.Wurm@OakHillCT.org 

Ann Kecskes, M.A., CCC-SLP - Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist

Ann Kecskes is a speech-language pathologist working with NEAT and provides consultations and evaluations for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Ann is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (M.A, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences) and has undergraduate work in the areas of psychology and education. Ann has spent the majority of her career helping children and adults with complex communication needs find their voices, as well as supporting their closest communication partners. She is licensed by the state of Connecticut as well as the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

Ann can be reached at: Ann.Kecskes@oakhillct.org

Will first learned about the accessibility field while participating in the Digital Accessibility Specialist Training Program, a collaborative initiative with the CT State College & Universities, Western Connecticut State University, the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services, and NEAT.  After successfully finishing the training program, he went on to complete the International Association of Accessibility Professionals requirements to become a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).  He immediately put his credentials to work as a Digital Accessibility Specialist Assistant intern at Oak Hill before moving on to his current role within the agency at NEAT. Will is passionate about technology and making the world more accessible for everyone, and approaches this vision with both personal and professional experiences in the disability community.  As NEAT’s Digital Divide Coordinator, he strives to combine these two passions by getting people the technology they need to access the world, and helping them perfect their usage of it.  Will works directly with the Bridging the Digital Divide program through the CT Tech Act Project and the CT Department of Aging & Disability Services State Unit on Aging.

Thomas is responsible for repairing and restoring durable medical equipment for NEAT’s adaptive equipment reuse services. His helpful disposition and kind soul are a terrific addition to the team. He is always ready to creatively troubleshoot and support a customer’s need for better equipment.

Thomas can be reached at:
Email at Thomas.Dieli@OakHillCT.org

Stephanie Marquez, Adaptive Equipment Manager
Stephanie is our incredibly patient and knowledgeable Adaptive Equipment Manager at Oak Hill’s Adaptive Equipment Reuse Services. Her days are spent leading and collaborating with team members to help individuals, families, and professionals find unique durable medical equipment that can support their everyday needs. Stephanie graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Sports Management. She has a passion for help others and giving back to a community that has given so much to her. She can be reached at: Stephanie.Marquez@OakHillCT.org 

Joezel Rivera is our Customer Service Representative at Oak’s Hill Adaptive Equipment Reuse Services. He is committed to helping individuals and those on a professional level with answering and acknowledging questions based on our durable medical equipment, in support of improving their personal needs. With nearly six years of customer service experience, he is passionate and exceeds in providing a timely and adequate support to our stakeholders.
Joezel can be reached at: Joezel.Rivera@oakhillct.org