CTTAP Newsletter Archives

Welcome back to CTTAP News!

Since our last issue, we’ve been spending our time shooting an AT Video that is viewable on our website and will be available on DVD to give away at conferences and other events.

We had two goals in mind in creating this video – the first was to help individuals with disabilities, family members, seniors, employers, and other professionals get an idea of how Assistive Technology devices can help to increase independence and reduce barriers. The second goal was to let people know where to turn to for assistance in finding out more about or obtaining needed AT devices and services. The video will highlight four AT users in their environments – at home, at work and in the community. We also spent some time filming a variety of AT devices at the NEAT Center in Hartford.

Although it was a lot of fun – it was also a lot of work! I am looking forward to sharing the finished product which should be available by early February. Keep your eye on our website to see the new video and, as always, your feedback is welcome!

Please enjoy this issue of CTTAP News, you will read from one of our Tech Mentors, learn about the progress we’ve made with the AT Loan Program and see what type of devices are available on the AT Exchange.

The Tech Mentor Program is a peer to peer mentor program where individuals with disabilities who have personal experience using AT in their own lives can help guide and support other individuals with disabilities who need Assistive Technology. If you think you would benefit from the support and guidance of a Tech Mentor or think you would make a good Tech Mentor, call CTTAP.

I am an energetic, active, determined Type A person. I previously had a career in sales and marketing for a Fortune 500 company and several years later decided to follow my passion, designing and making custom clothing for women. I have always been active in my community and church either fund-raising or lending a helping hand to a neighbor or friend. When I became disabled I began to research the Web for assistive technology. I had very little guidance from outside sources but managed to acquire the things I needed. I realized there must be hundreds of people that do not know what they need or how to acquire it. When the opportunity arose for me to help others acquire assistive technology I didn’t hesitate to accept the position of a Tech Mentor.

My first mentee did not know where to turn for help. During our initial meeting we discussed what he felt he needed but as our conversation continued I discovered there were many other situations in which he needed assistive technology. I asked him to email a list to me and also to explain situations, which he felt were difficult for him to manage. Working with him has been a dream come true. He is very open and receptive to a suggestion and is willing to do follow-up. He was in need of a wheelchair and was interested in the process it takes to get a custom wheelchair so I explained the steps he would have to take and suggested he go to a rehabilitation hospital for his evaluation. That led to him seeing doctors that really listened to him, were willing to communicate with his primary physician and counsel him on other assistive technology devices. I could not believe the excitement in his voice when he told me, “I finally feel like I found the right doctors.”

It is very gratifying to know one suggestion can have a such a positive snowball effect. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Tech Mentor.

We are happy to report that the CT Tech Act Project’s Assistive Technology Loan Program has a new bank partner! This means that the loan program is Open for Business! We’ve made some changes that we hope will provide more opportunities for more individuals who need Assistive Technology.

We are taking applications now. If you are interested in learning more about the AT Loan Program or would like an application, you can visit us online and download the application or contact us at (860) 424-5619 or (860) 659-7530.

Customer service is here thanks to the support of our new bank partner CBT! CBT is where it’s A.T. (Assistive Technology)!!!

For students with disabilities, we know that having the right accommodations and Assistive Technology can make all the difference for a successful school experience. That is why the Connecticut Tech Act Project has partnered with Southern CT State University (SCSU) to offer loans of laptop computers, for up to 6 weeks, to CT schools. The laptops comes preloaded with adaptive software such as Co:Writer, Dragon Naturally Speaking, WordQ and more. There are 3 main purposes of the loan: 1) to allow schools to provide an accommodation for a student with a disability on a short-term basis, 2) to provide a trial or an evaluation of the adaptive software before purchasing it, 3) to allow the student to have access to a computer with adaptive software while their computer is out for repair or on order. We hope that a loan of a computer with adaptive software will allow schools to save money by avoiding the purchase of Assistive Technology that is not the right match for the student and doesn’t get used. To take advantage of this program, contact the Connecticut Tech Act Project or The Center for Adaptive Technology at SCSU at 203-392- 5799.

For those schools that have already purchased Assistive Technology that is not being used - because the student has moved out of district, has graduated or it’s just not the right match - the Connecticut Tech Act Project has created a way for schools to recycle unused AT.

The AT School Swap is now open to CT schools to keep track of their Assistive Technology inventory and to find and obtain unused AT from other schools.

Visit AT School Swap online or contact us for more information on how you can recycle unused AT and to create an account.

Here are just a few of the AT devices that are currently posted for sale or for free on the AT Exchange – an online classifieds for AT devices.

Visit www.getATstuff.com to see all of the AT devices that are available throughout New England or to post an AT device that you no longer need or use. If you do not have a computer, call the CT Tech Act Project at 860-424-4881 and we will be happy to search through the listings or post an AT device for you.