[CT-NFB] Fwd: NEAT Newsletter - August Edition

Tue Aug 16 19:51:21 UTC 2022

For those of you interested in the latest happenings at the New England assistive technology Center at Oak Hill please see the below email.

Deborah J. Reed
Central Chapter President
NFB of CT
Deb.reed57 at gmail.com
860-378-5370
“Live the life you want, blindness is not what holds you back.” National Federation Of The Blind 

Begin forwarded message:

> From: The NEAT Center <info at neatmarketplace.org>
> Date: August 15, 2022 at 12:19:35 PM EDT
> To: Deb.reed57 at gmail.com
> Subject: NEAT Newsletter - August Edition
> Reply-To: The NEAT Center <info at neatmarketplace.org>
> 
> 
> View this email in your browser
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> August 2022
> NEAT Happenings 
> With less than a month left of summer, we’re going to keep this August edition short and sweet so you can get back to enjoying the sunshine!  Here is what NEAT has been up to, as well as what you can expect to see from us for the rest of this month into September. 
> Smart Home 
> FREE Monthly Smart Home on Wheels (SHOW) Demonstrations
> AARP CT and NEAT are hosting a series of events on the topic of “Everyday Assistive Technology.” This six-part series will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about how widely available devices and new technologies can help older adults and people with disabilities live safely and independently at home.  
> 
> All events will take place at Oak Hill, 33 Coventry Street in Hartford, and will include a tour of the Smart Home on Wheels, a mobile demonstration center where individuals and groups can learn more about how technology can support independent living. Events are free, but registration is required.  View details and dates on NEAT’s website and see the registration information below for the upcoming tours.  We hope to see you there!  
> 
>  
> 
> August 22, 12pm-2pm – Routines with Alexa vs Google  
> 
> REGISTER: https://aarp.cventevents.com/OakHillAugust 
> 
> Smart home devices such as Alexa and Google home have so many features that many of us do not realize. In August, we will explore routines such as “Start my Day” and “Goodnight, Alexa” for smart home users who may not always remember all the steps in their daily routines. We will compare and contrast Alexa vs Google and discuss the features of each device to help you make the best decisions for your needs and existing technology.   
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> September 6, 6pm-8pm (evening event) – Smart Lights & Smart Plugs  
> 
> REGISTER: https://aarp.cventevents.com/OakHillSeptember 
> 
> Smart plugs are a simple way to automate the wired devices in your home. All you have to do is plug it into an outlet, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, download the app, then all wired appliances, like a lamp or a fan, can be controlled with your phone from wherever you are. “Can I control the color of my lights with my phone?” With Smart Lights, like Phillips Hue or GE CYNC, you can choose any color you desire for your light to shine. You can also match the color of your light to the color of the sky outdoors.   
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> NEAT’s Smart Home Expertise at ATECH Conference 
> On July 18, NEAT participated in the ATECH Conference, Journey to Independence: Assistive Technology at Its Best, in Mystic, CT.  We were thrilled for the opportunity to bring the SHOW back on the road after providing exclusively virtual tours throughout the pandemic!  Conference attendees had the opportunity to tour the SHOW to see in-person the ways that smart home technology can help people live more independently, age in place, and remain socially connected.  Ramón Hernández and Kristen Gilfeather, NEAT AT Specialists, led these tours.  Ramón also presented a conference session, Smart Home Living Technology From Scheduling to Digital Assistances: Managing Everyday Tasks.  Being in front of a live audience again was reenergizing!  
> 
> 
> Augmentative & Alternative Communication
> AAC Summer Bash 
> The AAC Team hosted the 4th annual AAC event, AAC Summer Bash, at Camp Hemlocks in Hebron on July 23.  Participants enjoyed a fun-filled, family-friendly day of exploring assistive technology, playing games, joining a drum circle, and meeting new people!  Communication and conversations using a variety of modalities were at the heart of all activities, making it an inclusive and engaging experience for all who attended.  NEAT loves connecting with our community in this way!  
> 
> 
> Communication Stations 
> Last month, we wrote about NEAT’s “Communication Stations,” part of a donation-supported project to make Oak Hill’s outdoor spaces more inclusive of individuals with communication differences, while also improving community awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Thanks to Oak Hill’s Operations department, a Communication Station has now been installed at Camp Hemlocks in Hebron.  Campers and Hemlocks visitors are already enjoying and benefiting from this large communication board to have social conversations and chat about the day’s events.    
>  
> 
> View this video to see it in “AACtion!” 
>  
> 
> If you get a chance to see and use a Communication Station at Oak Hill’s main campus or at Camp Hemlocks, snap a photo and use #AACisNEAT on Twitter! 
> 
> NEAT Membership
> Ever wonder what it means to be a NEAT Member?  Join Elena Hurlburt, NEAT Director, for a live informational session to learn all about NEAT benefits exclusively available to members. 
> 
> Learn More About NEAT Membership Benefits 
> 
> Date and Time: September 14, 2022 | 8:30am - 9:30am EST 
> 
> Presented by: Elena Hurlburt, Director of NEAT 
> 
> Cost: FREE and open to the public 
> 
> Register here 
> 
> Follow Us!
> 	@NEATWithElena
> 	@NEATWithJamie
> 	@NEATWithSteve
> 	@NEATWithRamon
> 	@neatcenteroakhill
> 	NEAT Center
> 	The NEAT Podcast
> 	@NEAT_in_AACtion
>  
> Contact us
> 
> 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
> CentersConnect at oakhillct.org 
>  
> If you would like to repost any of these articles, we recommend the following citation- "Credit: Oak Hill's NEAT Center"
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