Connecticut’s
Assistive Technology Innovation
Conference

Will first learned about the accessibility field while participating in the Digital Accessibility Specialist Training Program, a collaborative initiative with the CT State College & Universities, Western Connecticut State University, the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services, and NEAT.  After successfully finishing the training program, he went on to complete the International Association of Accessibility Professionals requirements to become a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).  He immediately put his credentials to work as a Digital Accessibility Specialist Assistant intern at Oak Hill before moving on to his current role within the agency at NEAT. Will is passionate about technology and making the world more accessible for everyone, and approaches this vision with both personal and professional experiences in the disability community.  As NEAT’s Digital Divide Coordinator, he strives to combine these two passions by getting people the technology they need to access the world, and helping them perfect their usage of it.  Will works directly with the Bridging the Digital Divide program through the CT Tech Act Project and the CT Department of Aging & Disability Services State Unit on Aging.

Amy Norton is the Coordinator of Assistive Technology as well as an Assistive Technology Professional and Transition Coordinator at EASTCONN.  She works with individuals with disabilities across the lifespan providing assessment, consultation, coaching and training.  She assists districts with integrating the use of assistive technology into the general education classroom, curriculum and transition planning.  Additionally, she works with the CT Tech Act (CTTAP) and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) to assess the assistive technology needs of adults with disabilities in preparing for work and in accomplishing tasks in the work settings.  She assists in meeting the telecommunications needs of individuals who are deaf/blind through the Access through Technology Program coordinated by the CTTAP.  She provides training on the creation and remediation of accessible documents as part of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility initiative of the CTTAP. Amy received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stonehill College and a master’s degree in special education from Boston College. She is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and a Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador. She has presented on a wide variety of assistive technology topics at the regional, state and national level.

Kristen Gilfeather is an Assistive Technology Specialist at NEAT. She developed her passion for working with special education students when she became a paraprofessional for preschool students in the public schools. She soon found her way into occupational therapy and applied her skills across the lifespan, from school-aged students to adults in a nursing home. During her time in the public schools, Kristen also developed her love for assistive technology. She began training staff on various types of assistive technology across the district. Kristen is excited to combine her knowledge of strategies for improving an individual’s participation in daily activities with her love for assistive technology to help people of all ages and abilities achieve their highest levels of independence.