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

[Deb Reed]

Hoping that the email below will contain some events of interest to you!

Sincerely,
 Deb Reed
Central CT Chapter President 
National Federation Of The Blind
Phone - 860-973-3679 
Cell-860-378-5370
Email - deb.reed57 at gmail.com



Begin forwarded message:

> From: The NEAT Center <info at neatmarketplace.org>
> Date: July 11, 2022 at 1:42:36 PM EDT
> To: deb.reed57 at gmail.com
> Subject: NEAT Newsletter - July Edition
> Reply-To: The NEAT Center <info at neatmarketplace.org>
> 
> 
> View this email in your browser
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> July 2022
> All Things NEAT! 
> You may have noticed a pause in NEAT’s monthly newsletters – we simply have been so busy traveling the state to support individuals, teams, and families as well as developing exciting new partnerships and programs.  But you are important to us, we’ve missed you, and we’re back in action with regular outreach to our phenomenal AT community!  Whether we are welcoming you as a new NEAT member or saying hello to you as an old friend, we’d like to bring you up to speed with all things NEAT!  Keep reading to learn who we are, where our passions lie, and what we’re up to next.
> Meet The NEAT Team
> New England Assistive Technology (NEAT), an Oak Hill Center, provides assistive technology resources, services, supports, and adaptive equipment to individuals of all ages and abilities.  The NEAT Center serves local and national communities by spearheading awareness and educational initiatives as well as by leading innovative projects to embed AT into our world in universal ways.
> 
> NEAT’s team is uniquely comprised of staff with individualized skillsets and distinct areas of expertise.  This small but mighty team works collaboratively with one another to offer comprehensive, one-of-a-kind assistive technology (AT) and augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) guidance.  Using research-based practices and personable approaches, they empower independence and social connectedness not just for individuals, but also for the teams who support these individuals on a daily basis.  Meet the creative team behind it all.
> 
> Don’t just take our word for it though, talk to your colleagues about their experiences working with us.  We’d love to hear from you; we are always looking to grow, improve, and serve unmet needs so we welcome your feedback with this survey to let us know how we’re doing!
> 
> The NEAT Specialist was wonderful to work with! She took the time to talk through the questions I had and to thoroughly explain the technology we were working with. She made recommendations that made sense for the child, the educational team and the family. She provided a multitude of follow up resources in an easy to use format. Having her watch me with my student and having an opportunity to watch her try new things was so helpful! I felt supported, not judged. Being able to talk through our mutual observations was invaluable.
> – CT Public School Educator
>  
> 
> What's Next For NEAT? 
> Information and Communication Technology Trainings
> Steve Famiglietti from the Eleanor Brooks Blindness Support Center, an Oak Hill Center, will be presenting a webinar series on July 12 and July 19 from 10 – 11:30 am. Topics will be “An Introduction to Making Word and PDFs Accessible” and “An Introduction to Creating Accessible Microsoft Forms and Accessible Social Media Posts.”   Sponsored by the CT Tech Act Project, this webinar series is provided at no cost to participants.  There is only one more day to register, so don’t wait! 
> 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 summer tours.  We hope to see you there!
> 
> July 15, 12pm-2pm – Fall Detection 
> REGISTER: https://aarp.cventevents.com/OakHillJuly
> Join us at the Smart Home on Wheels to learn about fall detection devices and services. There is a variety of smart technology that can assist you with staying safe at home. We will explore services such as Alexa Together, devices such as Apple Watch, and even an app you can add to your phone. We will also discuss how you can aid in fall detection by checking in on loved ones by becoming an automatic emergency contact for them within these services. In addition to fall detection, we will discuss ways to prevent falls in your smart home with equipment such as motion sensors and smart lights.   
> 
> 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.  
> AAC Summer Bash
> Summer is in full swing, and that means that NEAT’s 4th annual summer AAC event is here!  This event started in 2019 with the goal of having individuals who use AAC, their families, and their support teams come together for a day of fun activities and social networking.  Held virtually the past two years during the pandemic, we were fortunate to connect with people from all over CT, the USA, and even the globe.  While we loved meeting people in the AAC community from all over and plan to host more virtual events like that in the future, we are excited to resume an in-person event this year at Camp Hemlocks in Amston, CT. 
> 
> 
> 
> AAC Summer Bash is a FREE event that will be held on Saturday, July 23 from 10:00-2:00.  Participants can look forward to connecting with others, participating in nature themed activities, and learning about effective and fun AAC implementation.  The event will be held outdoors, including under a large pavilion that offers weather protection, and CDC guidelines will be followed.  Listen to the iHeart Radio interview for details, read FAQs on NEAT’s website, then RSVP here to join the excitement!  Contact Margaret.Hislop at OakHillCT.org with questions.
> Current Initiatives
> State Department of Education Partnership & AT Champions
> The State Department of Education Bureau of Special Education has renewed and expanded the way in which CT public schools can engage with NEAT during the 2022-2025 school years.  All districts will have continuous access to unique benefits for CT students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) through NEAT Membership at no cost, and on an annual rotating basis all districts will also have additional supports through the expanded NEAT Subscription AT Services at no cost.
> 
> 
> 
> For the 2022-2023 school year, CSDE has provided districts identified in Cohort C with a one-year NEAT Subscription.  A description of this exciting opportunity and a list of districts by Cohort may be found on the NEAT website at https://assistivetechnology.oakhillct.org/sde-subscription/.
> 
> Questions about the ways in which your district can engage with NEAT can be directed to Elena.Hurlburt at OakHillCT.org.
> 
> NEW this year is the introduction of an “AT Champions” program!  During the 2022-2023 school year, NEAT will lead exclusive coursework for CT professionals and students to collaboratively build their assistive technology (AT) and augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) capacities.  Learn more about the program here.  Hurry the last day to apply is TOMORROW, July 12!
> Communication Stations
> The NEAT “Communication Stations” are 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). AAC is a device or system used to enhance communication for an individual who is unable to use speech to meet their communication needs across all contexts and settings and all communication partners. AAC provides individuals with access to functional communication including basic wants and needs, but also allows for enhanced social interactions and productive conversations.
> 
> At NEAT, we see a need for communication access in a variety of locations beyond school, clinic, and hospital settings. In response, we have been working hard to customize and install communication signs at Oak Hill’s outdoor spaces. With each communication sign, individuals with communication differences will be able to point to symbols and words to help communicate their ideas, needs, request, feelings, and more. Communication partners in general will be able to use the communication sign to model AAC use and supplement their verbal speech with symbols, demonstrating the universal benefit of AAC. We hope that this project raises awareness about different communication modalities and educates others to ensure acceptance and understanding of AAC.   
> 
> The first sign has been installed at the front entrance of the Oak Hill administrative building at 120 Holcomb Street in Hartford.  Additional Stations are in the works for Camp Hemlocks in Hebron, coming this summer!  Stop by to see these signs in “AACtion!” Special thanks to Oak Hill’s Operations department for assisting with the installation of these Communication Stations.
> 
> 
> 
> 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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