The EASTCONN Assistive Technology (AT) Team offers a wide variety of services for school-age youth as well as for adults. These services are designed to not only match individuals with disabilities with the appropriate AT tools and services to meet their needs but also to ensure that they are able to effectively use the AT so that they are able to increase, maintain, and improve functional capabilities as well as access, participate, and progress in all environments.

Through a continuum of services including consultation, coaching, training, and assessment, we will work with you to meet your needs. Our areas of expertise include:

• Alternative ways to access instruction and/or environment
• Tools to assist with reading, writing, note-taking, organization, and executive functioning
• Document Accessibility
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Developing district-wide policies and practices related to the AT process
• Transition planning to maintain access to technology for employment, college, independent living, and community participation
• Tools to support adults with employment, digital access, communication, and accessible pharmacy services

We will assist you in determining the service or combination of services that would best meet your AT needs.

Services for School-Age Youth

The EASTCONN Assistive Technology (AT) Team helps schools support students with disabilities. We work with districts to choose the right assistive technology tools and services for students. We also help make sure students know how to use these tools successfully.

An assistive technology device is defined by IDEA 2004 as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device." (Sec. 300.5).

Assistive technology can help students learn, communicate, and take part in school activities. Our goal is to help students increase their independence and fully access the general education curriculum.

We offer a range of services, including consultation, coaching, training, and assessments. We can support one student, a group of students, a program, a school, or an entire district.

Our areas of expertise include:

• Alternative ways to access instruction and/or the environment
• Reading, writing, and note-taking supports
• Organization and executive functioning
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and submitting related insurance funding requests
• Transition planning to maintain access to technology for employment, college, independent living, and community participation purposes

We also help districts develop and update policies and practices related to assistive technology. This includes the AT consideration processes, team development, program reviews, and making documents accessible. We work with you to determine the services that best meet your assistive technology needs.

Types of Services

Consultation

Our AT and AAC specialist will work with a member or members of the team (students, classroom, school, district) to assist when there are concerns with current practices, considering AT, and determine next steps. We will meet with you to address your concerns, develop a plan and provide guidance on additional services needed, when appropriate. Our goal is to use this time to provide a more immediate opportunity to address issues when they arise and to introduce potential solutions.

Coaching

Our AT and AAC specialist will provide in-depth assistance with the implementation of AT/AAC for a specific student or students by providing modeling, observation and feedback on a monthly basis over the course of several months. On-going needs are reassessed to determine if further coaching would be beneficial. Coaching may be requested as a follow-up to a consultation or assessment or based on existing needs to support the student and team.

Training

Our AT and AAC specialist will deliver instruction on how to use AT/AAC as a follow-up to a consultation or assessment or based on existing needs to support the student, team, school and or district.

Assessment

Our AT and AAC specialist will provide a comprehensive assessment that includes a review of the student record, consultation with the student’s team, observation of the student, assessment in the natural environment including trials, written report and PPT attendance. Follow-up services are available for an additional cost and include Training, Coaching and Insurance Funding Requests for AAC.

Parent Testimonial

"I just wanted to sincerely thank you for your hard work, the assessment, and the extensive amount of information shared. You were extremely thorough and detailed, and your work was exemplary. We know that this will be so beneficial for (student), and we can’t adequately express our gratitude to you for your role in (student)’s future success and happiness.”

Level Up

Level Up provides students aged 16-22 with the tools, training and resources to work competitively and to forge a path to independence. By working together, we are building relationships with schools, families and the community and have created a collaborative partnership that introduces students who have an IEP, 504 plan or related challenges to new possibilities. The goal of this project is to help students be prepared to go out and find their place in the world. EASTCONN Assistive Technology Services is an approved vendor for Level Up and is available to introduce an individual student or groups of students to, and increase their use of, Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services. This is a free service provided by the state. To learn more visit: What is the Level Up program in Connecticut?

Cost of Services

At EASTCONN we use a daily rate for services that our consultants provide. Schools can choose to contract with EASTCONN for individual student services as needed (typically 1-4 days for various services) or select a package of services that can meet the needs of various students and staff district-wide throughout the school year.

Packages are ideal for those districts that are looking to meet the needs of multiple students, classrooms, schools or district-wide. Our AT/AAC specialists will work with your team to identify the frequency and scope of support that would benefit students across the district throughout the school year. Benefits of this option include that our team can begin working with you before the start of the school year and assist with determining needs and develop a plan for the year. Packages also allow for priority scheduling and access to the AT Lending Library for device trials, temporary replacement when a student device is being repaired or replaced, or for professionals to explore new devices, tools and apps.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to identify the option that is best for your needs.

Services for Adults

The EASTCONN Assistive Technology (AT) Team also provides services for adults through partnerships with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and the Connecticut Tech Act Project. These services focus on using assistive technology to support employment, digital access, communication, and awareness of accessible pharmacy services.

We also offer private-pay services for adults who need help with assistive technology and/or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). These services may include:

• Help using or troubleshooting current technology
• Identifying new technology to meet individual needs
• Consultation and training for adults, family members, and caregivers

We work closely with each person to find the service or combination of services that best meets their assistive technology needs. We use a daily rate for the services that our consultants provide. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.