Schedule & Sessions
Tech Tools for Life, ATECH Conference 2024 begins at 8:30 am on Monday, May 6 with a breakfast keynote speaker and continues through on Tuesday May 7, 2024.
We are proud to feature an Exhibitor Hall, 30+ awesome sessions, networking opportunities, hands-on learning, and product demonstrations.
May 6-7, 2024
The Omni, New Haven CT
2 Days 30+Sessions
Day 1 | Monday, May 6
All About Independent Living
Learn about Assistive Technology for living independently and safely in your home and how Remote Supports can help.
8:30am – 9:00am
Pre-Assembly Area
Registration & Check-In
8:30am – 8:50am
Main Ballroom
Welcome Remarks, Introductions & Breakfast
8:50am – 9:50am
Main Ballroom
Keynote Presentation
Creating A Culture of Belonging
Curtis Hill
In this thought-provoking keynote, Curtis Hill will share the importance of how DEI&B should no longer be components in cultivating fair, safe, and effective business environments — they are a must.
Curtis will present strategic DEI&B principles that maximize people, profits, and productivity.
Feeling valued and connected can feed into an employee’s sense of belonging. Belonging, in turn, correlates with greater employee well-being and higher workplace engagement. An intentional investment of attention can have meaningful ripple effects on the environment.
Keynote Speaker: Curtis Hill, Executive Director, A Culture of Belonging™
10:15am – 11:15am
10:15am – 11:15am
Church
Unleashing Potential: Elevating Independence
Through Remote Supports
Breakout Session 1A
Don Shirley & Jessica Daiger, Safe in Home
10:15am – 11:15am
Chapel
Starting a Supportive Housing Project
Breakout Session 1B Panel Part 1:
Kathryn Wood, MidState Arc, Michael Menard, Arc of Litchfield County, Tricia Gibney, Arc of Southington, Steve Morris, FAVARH, Michelle Torres, The Arc Eastern CT
10:15am – 11:15am
York
Managing Independent Living with AT
Breakout Session 1c
Marisol De Jesus, James Feltz, Nigel Cooper, ATECH
10:15am – 11:15am
Ballroom
Communicating with People with Disabilities in Crisis Situations
Breakout Session 1D
Margie Hislop & Elizabeth O’Brien, NEAT
10:15am – 11:15am
Temple
Exploring Cutting-Edge Technologies with the TIP Squad
1E Experiential Room
Laurie Dale & Michael Montgomery, Ability Beyond
11:15am – 12:00pm Visit with Exhibitors
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Lunch
AT SmackDown
Mike Marotta, Inclusive Technology Solutions,
Room: Ballroom
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Chapel
Panel Part 2: Supported Housing with Assistive Technology and Remote Supports
Breakout Session 2A
Kathryn Wood, MidState Arc,Michelle Torres, The Arc Eastern CT, Lisa Francis, Arc of Litchfield County, Hilary Paden, Arc of Litchfield County
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ballroom
“IEP” in the Workplace: Using AT to Promote Inclusive Employment Practices
Breakout Session 2B
Mike Marotta, Inclusive Technology Solutions
1:00pm - 2:00pm
George
Apple Accessibility
Breakout Session 2C
Rafi Guroian, Apple’s Senior Systems Engineer
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Church
TBD
Breakout Session 2D
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Temple
Explore the World of Virtual Reality
2E Experiential Room
Matt Berkowitz, Floreo & Bogdan Zamfir, SCSU
2:30pm – 3:30pm
2:30pm - 3:30pm
George
Apple Vision Pro
Breakout Session 3A
Rafi Guroian, Apple’s Senior Systems Engineer
2:30pm - 3:30pm
York
Independent Living With ARMS
(ATECH Remote Monitoring Services)
Breakout Session 3B
Pam Fields, Amy Rubin Mindell, Michael Gibney, MidState Arc
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Church
Unlock the Power of Being Smart in Your Own Home
Breakout Session 3C
Maggie Wrum & Kristen Gilfeather, NEAT
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Ballroom
AT in Your Pocket: Using Your Smartphone for Effective Transition to College
Breakout Session 3D
Mike Marotta, Inclusive Technology Solutions
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Temple
Explore 3D printing as AT
3E Experiential Room
Staff from Access Independence, NESIT, Ability Beyond
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Cocktail & Networking Reception
Sponsored by Hancocks Pharmacy
Ballroom
Day 2 | Tuesday, May 7
AT for Life, Education, Work & Community
Learn about AT for all areas of life, including AT for School, AT for Work, for Independent Living and Community Access.
8:30am – 9:00am
Ballroom
Welcome Remarks, Introductions & Breakfast
Pam Fields and Arlene Lugo
9:00am – 10:00am
9:00am – 10:00am
Chapel
What’s available? Employment Supports and AT
Panel Discussion
Breakout Session 1A
Dana Begin, DMHAS, Trever Rogers, DDS, Laura Haley, BRS
9:00am – 10:00am
George
TBD
Breakout Session 1B
9:00am – 10:00am
York
10 Simple (& Free) iPad Strategies to Help with Reading and Writing
Breakout Session 1c
Jamie Martin, NEAT
9:00am – 10:00am
Church
EYE Choose Hiru & iPad iOS 17: The Revolution of Eye Accessibility is Here
Breakout Session 1D
Eneko Sese, IRIS Bond
9:00am – 10:00am
Temple
Explore 3D Printing as AT, Staff from Access Independence
1E Experiential Room
NESIT, UCP
10:00am – 12:00pm
10:00am – 10:30am
Visit with Exhibitors
10:30am – 11:00am
Ballroom
Overview of AT Services in CT
Arlene Lugo, CT Tech Act Project
11:00am – 12:00pm
Ballroom
Day 2 Keynote
The “Quadfather’s” Thoughts on Assistive Technology
Todd Stabelfeldt
Todd will share his experiences over three decades using assistive technologies. An expert in technologies for the spinal cord-injured, Todd has contributed to New Mobility magazine. As a gifted computer technologist, he also participates in usability testing efforts for technology companies. He has been a featured keynote speaker at various events including Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference and the GeekWire Summit. Todd resides in the Puget Sound area of Washington with his wife Karen and is an entrepreneur: founder and CEO of C4 Consulting. Learn more about Todd and his many accomplishments: https://toddstabelfeldt.com/
12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch
Visit With Exhibitors
Room: Ballroom
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
1:00pm - 2:00pm
York
Best Practices in iPad AAC
Breakout Session 2A
Ann Bedard, Nicole Deary, EASTCONN
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ballroom
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Promote Inclusion
Breakout Session 2B
Lauren Tucker, SCSU
1:00pm - 2:00pm
George
Remote Supports/Job Coaching and Other AT for Employment
Breakout Session 2C
Life Sherpa
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Church
Community & Connection: Advancing Accessibility for Our Aging Population
Breakout Session 2D
Danielle Dutcher, NEAT
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Temple
Explore the World of Virtual Reality
2E Experiential Room
Matt Berkowitz, Floreo & Bogdan Zamfir, SCSU
2:00pm – 2:30pm
VISIT WITH EXHIBITORS
2:30pm – 3:30pm
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Church
AT Solutions and Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities in the Workplace
Breakout Session 3A
Lynn Toolan & Stacey Fulton, EASTCONN
2:30pm - 3:30pm
George
Driver Assessments and Modified Vehicles
Breakout Session 3B
Raechaell Corbett, Easterseals Mobility Center & Christian Quandt, Advanced Wheels
2:30pm - 3:30pm
York
Practical Strategies for Supporting AAC
Breakout Session 3C
Nicole Natalie & EJ Piccirillo, CREC
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Ballroom
Battle of the Systems: Apple vs. Android Accessibility Features for Independent Living
Breakout Session 3D
Nicole Nardi-Werner, NEAT
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Temple
What’s Cooking with AT?
3E Experiential Room
James Feltz, ATECH, Nigel Cooper, ATECH, Shannon Taber, UCP
End of Conference
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