[CT-NFB] FW: NEAT Newsletter - February 2021 Edition

Fri Feb 19 01:18:38 UTC 2021

FYI: 

Best Regards, 

Marchele Davis

Affiliate: Secretary/Southern Chapter President

National Federation of the Blind of CT 

(203)314-5298 

From: The NEAT Center <info at neatmarketplace.org> 
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2021 4:41 PM
To: mdiggs2 at peoplepc.com
Subject: NEAT Newsletter - February 2021 Edition

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January 2021 

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NEAT NEWS

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February is known for many awareness events, including Black History Month and American Heart Month. In this month’s newsletter, NEAT highlights the things that we absolutely love, and we do not limit it to assistive technology alone. NEAT “Shares Its Heart" as we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements of our community, the importance of helping others lead healthy lives, and the powerful impact that assistive technology has on independence.   

NEAT NEWS

Upcoming NEAT Events

 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=9e79342902&e=6410f64b0e> Learn From NEAT 
Find new and exciting webinars.

 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=597792d5e0&e=6410f64b0e> Packing A Punch With AT (Part 2): What We've Learned & What You Should Know
March 4, 2021

 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=cd0c6372a1&e=6410f64b0e> A Day In The Life With Tech: Looking Into The World Of People With Vision Loss
March 3, 2021

NEAT NEWS

Two Job Opportunities at NEAT

By Oak Hill 

The NEAT Center at Oak Hill is hiring! We have job openings for one Assistive Technology Specialist and one Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist to join our expanding, powerhouse team. NEAT specialists work collaboratively to conduct evaluations, consultations, professional development, training, and coaching services to support individuals of all abilities and their teams. Service provision is via virtual and in-person modalities. While there is flexibility within this role, most services will need to be delivered during business hours and deadlines will be set.

Interested and qualified professionals can apply by clicking the links below. 

*	  <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=da3579ceaf&e=6410f64b0e> AT Specialist position here
*	 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=f5d5e5e290&e=6410f64b0e> AAC Specialist position here 

Specific questions can be submitted to Elena Fader, Director of Assistive Technology Services, at  <mailto:Elena.Fader at oakhillct.org> Elena.Fader at oakhillct.org.

NEAT NEWS

Accessible Valentine’s Day Cards!

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407/images/938e3104-e13a-4aef-9623-833e904b5cd6.jpg> 

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BY ADAM KOSAKOWSKI

Valentine’s Day this year is hard. We’re still in this pandemic, going out is not easy, and many people are staying in and feeling disconnected from the world. This month, NEAT shows its heart through our love of assistive technology. And I am doing that by sharing an idea for an accessible activity where you can show you and yours how much you care while being as accessible as possible!    <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=002e2e7a62&e=6410f64b0e> Read More...

NEAT NEWS

People with Dyslexia Love Smartphone Text-to-Speech

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407/images/232c3e7f-008a-455c-9b9e-e052114b3058.png> 

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BY JAMIE MARTIN

Text-to-speech is one of the most useful assistive technology tools, especially for people with reading disabilities like dyslexia. These days, it can be found built into the operating systems of most devices, including smartphones. iPhone and Android users can listen to email, text messages, web content, and more. They just need to turn on the text-to-speech features and learn how to use them.

To learn more about the built-in text-to-speech on your smartphone, watch this short tutorial video created by the team at Understood.org:

 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=e1c227b55b&e=6410f64b0e> 3-Minute Tutorial: How to Use Text-to-Speech on a Mobile Device

NEAT NEWS

Caregiver Study

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BY MEREDITH GOHSMAN

Old Dominion University researchers are seeking parents, guardians, and adult caregivers of children with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs for communication to participate in a study related to caregivers’ experiences of stress and support. To participate, individuals must be the caregiver of a 3-9-year-old child who communicates with AAC modalities. These modalities can include but are not limited to: gestures, body language, sign language, facial expressions, sounds, words, pictures, objects, photographs, writing, communication boards/books, and speech-generating devices. The goal of this study is to integrate results into family-centered AAC service provision for improved collaboration between the interprofessional AAC team and caregivers. Participation in this voluntary study involves 2 online surveys. Some families will also be invited to participate in an interview.

The first survey is available at: 
 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=2a2953adf2&e=6410f64b0e> https://odu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhZwu2MHuZNmagJ

The flyer is available at: 
 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=25442636d9&e=6410f64b0e> https://mcusercontent.com/f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407/files/28650a11-baf2-4fe2-abe1-03dd9d087394/Caregiver_Study_Flyer.pdf.

For more information, please contact Meredith Gohsman at  <mailto:mlave003 at odu.edu> mlave003 at odu.edu. 

SMART TECH NEWS

New, Accessible Technology Highlighted at  CES 2021

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407/images/3bc7b080-bda3-4a64-8e13-e3f5e6723f4e.jpg> 

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BY FREEDOM NOW

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which went virtual in 2021, has always showcased the most forward-thinking and innovative tech. And in recent years, developers have seen the value in creating technology to meet the needs and concerns of the large senior citizen and disabled populations in our country. Here are a few products that we love from this year’s show.

 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=820ac1e2a5&e=6410f64b0e>  New Smart Tech!

BLIND SERVICES NEWS

Why I Love My Guide Dogs

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BY STEVE FAMIGLIETTI

For the first thirty years of my life, I did not have guide dogs.  When I traveled, I relied on others to provide me with assistance and I never took walks or went places on my own.  If I wanted to go to a mall, grocery store, restaurant, or movie theater, I always called a family member or friend and asked if they wanted to go with me.  Having someone accompany me sounds like a good idea, it allowed for companionship and togetherness but, many times, if my request didn’t fit into the other person’s schedule, it wouldn’t happen.  Also, when it came to grocery shopping, I might like to go to a particular store, but the person would say, we are going to a different store.  All this being said, I feel that I lacked independence in many ways during the first thirty years of my life.

On my 30th birthday, I contacted the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and requested an application to obtain a guide dog.  My first guide dog, Whitlee, a female German Shepherd drastically changed my life and gave me both independence and control when it came to traveling.  For the first time, I was able to walk to shopping malls, grocery stores, and other places without asking others for assistance.  I also began to take leisure walks and participated in other activities that I was able to choose when and where I wished to travel.  Whitlee was with me for 9.5 years and holds a special place in my heart for the independence that she gave to me. 

My current guide dog, Joel, is a German Shepherd, from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and again, Joel has given me total independence when it comes to traveling places.  We have traveled together to many conferences around the country in locations such as Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, and Florida.  We have also taken vacations to Florida in the winter to get away from the cold, snowy New England winters.  Joel loves to fly on airplanes and people always come up to us and compliment him on his handsome appearance.  All the traveling and trips that we have taken together have increased my confidence and allowed me to be in control of when and where I travel.  Joel also loves to have time off from working.  His favorite thing to do is to chase a ball and bring it back to me.  He is a funny, goofy dog who brings me a huge amount of joy, love, and independence. 

During the current pandemic, Joel has offered me a great distraction away from all the drama and news surrounding the virus and other current events.  I love the fact that I have Joel in my life because I give him daily care, walks and fun.  He has helped me to look at the positive and good ways to focus on him and the love that I have for him.  I truly have loved and appreciated all of the guide dogs that I’ve had the pleasure to know in my life.

THE NEAT PODCAST

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Stay tuned for new episodes of the NEAT Podcast in the near future!

Click below to listen to our previous episodes.

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__      CONNECTIONS WITH OHC     __

OAK HILL CENTERS NEWS

The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation awards a $100,000 grant to Oak Hill’s Center for Relationship and Sexuality Education (CRSE)

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BY OAK HILL RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION (CRSE) CENTER

Aiming to help combat sexual assault against individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, last August, The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to Oak Hill’s Center for Relationship and Sexuality Education (CRSE). The grant has enabled the CRSE program to re-design the workbook series and offer the workbooks for free, as downloadable resources. The updated workbooks are part of the larger goal to provide comprehensive, accurate, and accessible sexual health materials for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Having access to vital information regarding one’s sexual health is a critical component of everyone’s life,” said Nicole Feeney, Senior Director of Oak Hill Centers. “It is especially powerful for people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. A set of resources, such as this one, designed to meet unique educational needs can empower an overwhelmingly vulnerable population and allow opportunities for meaningful and healthy relationships.”

These workbooks are now available around the world, offering accessible health and relationship information, and are crucial tools in addressing the sexual assault epidemic facing individuals
with disabilities. The materials are already reaching individuals in 43 US states and 7 countries. “We are proud to partner with Oak Hill’s CRSE Program on its innovative approach to support
greater understanding of healthy and safe relationships,” said Whitney Shufelt, Executive Director of The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation. “The workbooks are an impressive
and much-needed resource for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we are very happy to support its expansion.”

People with disabilities have a right to know about their bodies and how to have healthy relationships. These workbooks are an important resource that will make that right more accessible for the people served by the CRSE Program.  The information in these workbooks is presented with sensitivity and reinforces the important concepts of healthy relationships: boundaries, consent, trust, respect, and responsibility. All workbooks promote critical thinking and safe decision-making.

To access the CRSE workbooks for free, visit:  <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=e6ca682205&e=6410f64b0e> http://relationshipandsexuality.oakhillct.org/workbooks/

OAK HILL CENTERS NEWS

Easterseals Covid-19 Impact Survey

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BY EASTERSEALS OF OAK HILL

Easterseals is looking to understand how COVID-19 has impacted you and your community. As part of this effort, we are asking for participation in a survey to help us know how COVID-19 has directly impacted them. Your answers will inform the future of Easterseals. The survey will be open until February 19th. Please click on the link below to complete the survey, It will take about 20 minutes. To thank you we will be doing a drawing for a $100 gift card for everyone who submits their email. Link to the survey at  <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=4cee2a7880&e=6410f64b0e> https://survey.us.confirmit.com/wix/p519421714371.aspx?csr=ess.

OAK HILL CENTERS NEWS

Coats4Vets 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407/images/4f35f9b6-cc01-44fa-bfa2-6ea5a36bd081.png> 

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BY EASTERSEALS OF OAK HILL VETERANS AND OAK HILL ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER

Easterseals of Oak Hill Veterans and Oak Hill Adaptive Sports and Fitness helped to organize and host a Coats4Vets event on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.  Collaborating with the BETERI Consulting Group and USA Military Support Foundation allowed us to distribute free, new winter coats to our Connecticut veterans and service members in need. 

OAK HILL CENTERS NEWS

New Year Workout

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BY OAK HILL ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER

Have you been thinking about exercising? Do you want to get fit? Let Coach Paul Weiland, Adapted Sports and Fitness Coordinator, and Larissa Yost, Fitness Trainer, help you get up and get moving with some feel-good exercises. Click the button below to watch a video and exercise with Oak Hill Adaptive Sports and Fitness.

 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=effb3fce78&e=6410f64b0e> Stay Active Throughout 2021

OAK HILL CENTERS NEWS

Rollator Sale

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BY OAK HILL ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND FITNESS CENTER & OAK HILL EQUIPMENT SERVICES

A new rollator will usually cost between $60 and $80 but for the month of February, Oak Hill Equipment Services is selling their refurbished rollators for $25 each! If you or a loved one is looking for an upgrade you can stop by our facility Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

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Contact Us!

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 <https://oakhillct.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7e0f16a5f7c18d91a8f45407&id=467b0058e8&e=6410f64b0e> oakhillct.org/NEAT-center

Oak Hill's NEAT Center

Building Location
33 Coventry St
Hartford, CT 06112

Mailing address
120 Holcomb St
Hartford, CT 06112

866-526-4492
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