New England Assistive Technology (NEAT) Resource & Education Center
The NEAT Center at Oak Hill enriches lives by enhancing independence and quality of life for people with disabilities including visual impairments. It sets the standard in providing innovative solutions, program excellence, services and advocacy for people with disabilities.
The NEAT Center at Oak Hill is a place to learn about products, equipment and services that assist people with day-to-day activities that they have trouble doing themselves, either because of a disability or the effects of aging. It is also a place to donate or buy durable medical equipment.
The NEAT Center is a program of Oak Hill.
Our legal name is The Connecticut Institute for the Blind, Inc.,
d/b/a, Oak Hill, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Download our brochure (820KB PDF) |
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Featured News & Events |
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The New Look of AAC: iDevices, Communication Apps & Ensuring Student Success
Implementation will be the primary focus of this session. This session will begin with a discussion about the consideration process for choosing iDevices and communication apps for individuals with complex communication needs. A variety of communication apps will be demonstrated with some focus on the technical aspects of programming (to get you started!). Once participants are comfortable with their knowledge of the apps, we will revisit the question of generating relevant implementation plans for individuals with complex communication needs using iDevices. Please feel free to bring your personal handheld device, as there will be time for hands-on involvement. Date: February 27, 2012 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Fee: $100 for members/$125 for non-members Presenters: Gladys Millman, MA, CCC-SLP, CAGS and AAC Evaluator Nicole Feeney, M.ED and Assistive Technology Specialist
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 Free AT Tools for Education
Presented by: Nicole Feeney, M.Ed., Assistive Technology Specialist
This beginner workshop will reveal some of the best FREE computer applications for overcoming barriers and for facilitating independent learning. These tools provide students with alternate means of comprehension and expression as well as helping to maintain classroom interest. This hands-on approach of online applications, resources, and websites, as well as multimedia tools will be reviewed and discussed. Multiple text-to-speech options, software to support various learning abilities, ways of using voice recording as an alternative to writing or keyboarding, and other free AT will be presented. Additionally, participants will be shown the fascinating potential of classroom blogs, websites and other programs, such as Scratch or Google Sketchup, to engage and motivate learners.
Date: January 10, 2012
Time: 9am - 3pm
Fee: $75 members / $90 non-members
Register
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Join us for a FREE informational session on the best version of Clicker yet - Clicker 6!
Find out how Clicker 6 will enable every student to significantly develop their reading and writing skills. Join us to see how Clicker 6 will help improve literacy throughout your school. If you are not yet a Clicker user, you will find out why Clicker is the perfect tool for helping all your students achieve reading and writing success. For those that already have Clicker in their schools, this is a fantastic opportunity to see what's new in Clicker 6! What's New in Clicker 6? • Quick Start view enables the student to start writing immediately • Phonetic, picture-supported word predictor available in the document - picture support on demand! • Document and grids have direct access to Paint, webcam and picture libraries • Instant creation of Clicker Sets with grid and page wizards • Direct access to LearningGrids with over 700 free resources • Enhanced accessibility for your special needs students Date: February 8, 2012 Time: 9 am – 12 pm Fee: Free! Presenter: Crick Software
Register
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App-tastic Beginnings in Special Education!
Did you just get your iPad…not sure where to start…join us at NEAT for an introduction to all things iPad. The iPad provides a treasure of possibilities for assistive technology and the opportunities it lends to students with Special Needs. In this workshop, we will explore the iPad’s basic navigation, accessibility features, pre-installed applications and accessories. The iOS 5 update as well as the iCloud features will also be discussed. Participants will discover the potential use of the iPad as a personal learning tool and the third party applications that can enhance a student’s learning experience. Please feel free to bring your personal hand-held device, as there will be plenty of time for hands-on involvement. Dates: January 20, 2012 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Available again on March 26, 2012 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Fee: $75 for members/$90 for non-members Presenter: Nicole Feeney
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A Special Event for World Autism Awareness Day! A Series of App-tastic Events: Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
In this workshop, participants will learn how to utilize the iPad and a variety of apps with children with autism. Apps discussed and demonstrated will include: AAC, social skills, literacy, math, data collection, behavior management, music, songs, art and games. Please feel free to bring your personal handheld device, as there will be plenty of time for hands-on involvement. Date: April 2, 2012 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Fee: $25 per individual Presenter: Nicole Feeney Space will be limited…register now!
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SAVE the DATE!
1 Day “Make & Take” Course: Level 1
T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Practical Adapted Curriculum Teaching
Who benefits from this course?
Anyone who is struggling with not enough time to customize and adapt academic, life skills, or social language content for a learner of any age with a disability.
During The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. 1-Day “Make & Take” Course, you will implement the principles you learned during the "Tools for Schools" Conference to put into place a step-by-step system for language-based instruction that you can begin implementing on Monday morning.
By attending "Tools for Schools", you've fulfilled the prerequisite!
Come join us for this EXCITING and FUN workshop!
NOTE: Completing the 1-Day Course is a prerequisite to attending the 1-Day Make & Take.
Date: Friday, April 27, 2012
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm Registration open at 8:00am
Place: NEAT Center at Oak Hill
Entrance is 33 Coventry Street, Hartford, CT 06112
Fee: $199 (CEU's and lunch included)
Register
Download Attachment: Make and Take Flyer
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A Series of App-tastic Events: Using the iPad in Your Classroom
Students are becoming increasingly more familiar with the iPad and its convenience, intuitiveness, and efficiency. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to a variety of ways that the iPad and its applications (native and third-party) can be used in your classroom to increase motivation, collaboration and productivity. We will demonstrate video mirroring from the iPad2, as well as using your iPad as a Remote Desktop from anywhere in your classroom and projecting onto an interactive whiteboard. There will be a selection of apps covering literacy, comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, organization, written expression and presentation skills. Participants will also explore the potential use of the iPad as a personal learning tool and/or assistive technology device used to support a student’s learning needs. Please feel free to bring your personal handheld device, as there will be plenty of time for hands-on involvement. Date: May 8, 2012 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Fee: $75 for members/$90 for non-members Presenter: Nicole Feeney
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The NEAT 2011/2012 Curriculum is here!
The NEAT workshop/training catalog for August 2011 to June 2012 announces opportunities for anyone interested in the latest assistive technology devices and services including specialized workshops on iTechnology!
Please click below for your own text version!
Download Attachment: FY 12 Curriculum - Text Version
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"Build Your Own Workshop"
A unique opportunity to create training that meets your staff’s specific needs.
Increase your knowledge and awareness of assistive technology devices and services!
Designing your own training allows you to meet your own specific needs, build your school’s capacity to meet required outcomes, and assist students with disabilities to succeed in the classroom. BYO Workshops incorporate time for exploration, practice, and provide a hands-on experience. To meet your scheduling needs workshops can be half or full day.
Choose from an existing NEAT Workshop, or mix, match & “design-your-own” training to meet your own unique needs, including the following:
Disability Awareness and Sensitivity Training
Introduction to Assistive Technology
Boardmaker
Clicker 5
Other Educational Softwares:
textHELP Read&Write Gold, SOLO Literacy Suite, Kurzweil, Inspiration, Dragon Naturally Speaking, etc.
iPad
Tools to Engage Students with Autism
Tools for Reluctant Writers
AT Supports for Struggling Students with or without an IEP
Exploring Various Software for Communication
Free AT Tools for Education
Assistive Technology for Infants and Toddlers
Blind and Visually Impaired
Tools for Struggling Readers
Access
To Build Your Own Workshop, please download and complete the Intake Form and email to feeneyn@ciboakhill.org or contact Nicole Feeney at 860-286-3101.
Download Attachment: Intake Form
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Assistive Technology Consultation and Evaluation Services Available
Many adults and persons with disabilities experience numerous challenges as they transition across home, community, work and/or school environments.
Determining the appropriate assistive technology to address these challenges is critical to building as much success and independence as possible.
The NEAT Centers’ consultation services will assist you in selecting appropriate assistive technology options.
- incorporating assistive technology into the life of the individual through training and support.
- consultation to determine the appropriate assistive technology needs of the individual.
- to best determine how assistive technology may help your child to better succeed in school or an adult with a disability to live more independently
Evaluations may be done at the NEAT Center in Hartford, your school, your workplace, your home or at one of our satellite sites located in either Stratford or Willimantic.
For more information, please call (860) 243-2869.
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The NEAT AT HIRE Project
Assistive Technology:
Hire
Innovative
Resourceful
Employees
Providing workplace accommodation solutions and information resources for employers, employees and individuals seeking employment.
Visit the NEAT AT HIRE Project! |
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Download directions to the NEAT Center here.
Download Attachment: Directions to the NEAT Center
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Is Space at NEAT Available to Rent?
YES! Just follow the link below!
Rental Information |
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NEAT Center and iPad Open World to People with Disabilities
NEAT Center hosted Tools for Schools event; demonstrated a new app where people with disabilities can communicate; see news story on WTNH-TV 8
Emily B.Hager wrote in New York Times (10/30/10) introduces us to OWEN CAIN who depends on a respirator and struggles to make even the slightest movements — he has had a debilitating motor-neuron disease since infancy. — Owen, 7, does not have the strength to maneuver a computer mouse, but when a nurse propped...read full story |
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ITNNorthCentralConnecticut™ is now offering rides 24/7 to seniors and adults with visual impairments in Bloomfield, East Granby, East Windsor, Enfield, Granby, Somers, South Windsor, Suffield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
Learn more by downloading the flyer below.
Download Attachment: ITN Information
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