Time to learn something new or brush up your skills?

Come to the NEAT Marketplace for a unique opportunity in training.

NEAT announces its new training schedule of workshops, seminars and product demonstrations for the 2005 – 2006 school year. This year, the New England Assistive Technology will enhance it’s training schedule to include more intermediate and advanced classes.

The NEAT computer lab offers a unique hands-on experience. The lab is equipped with 18 computer workstations, scanners, printers, smart board and a wide variety of software and computer access devices. Computer classes are offered for many of the most used assistive technology software packages. Included are hands-on workshops for software programs like Intellitools, Clicker, Speaking Dynamically Pro, Voice Recognition and Talking Books with PowerPoint. In addition, NEAT will also offer a selection of new classes that will include “Microsoft Windows and Word – AT features for students” that will explore the accessibility features that you already have but didn’t know it, and “Low Cost/No Cost AT” which will show you how to find and use the many free or low cost shareware, freeware, books, images and sounds available on the internet that can make learning a fun and engaging activity.

One of the more popular offerings at the NEAT Marketplace remains the “Build Your Own AT Workshop”. This offers a unique opportunity to design and customize a workshop to meet the specific needs of your staff. This is an exciting training option for In-Service or Professional Development days. For more information or to assist you in designing a workshop, call Leslie Dauer, NEAT Training Specialist at 860-243-2869 or email to dauerl@neatmarketplace.org .

This year NEAT will feature seminars provided by experts in the field of assistive technology. Judy Sweeney will provide a series of workshops including “Technology and Math”, “Completing the CIRCUIT” and “The AT Continuum: Low to High Tech Tools”. Kim Hartman will present “Models and Strategies – The AT Evaluation Process”, “AT Tools and Services for Students with Pervasive Developmental Disorders” and “Evaluation and Implementation Strategies for Voice to Text Technology”. “Improve Assessment, Intervention and Accountability with ATLAS” will be presented with each attendee receiving the ATLAS software package. Deb Barrows from Crick Software will present “Early and Struggling Writers – Find the Right Words”.

Many assistive technology vendors, manufacturers and developers will provide free product demonstrations to assist you in keeping current with the latest and best AT products available on the market. If you are not able participate in major national conferences like Closing the Gap or ATIA, you can see the same products and demonstrations at the NEAT marketplace all year long. Attend these free product demonstrations and see…
TextHelp, Vision Dynamics, Kurzweil, Wynn, Prentke Romich, Don Johnston, Co:Writer, Write:Outloud, Dynavox, JanTech, WordQ, Lexia, AT Inc., STAGES, AMDI, Zygo and EM Enterprizes

Check the NEAT website often. More workshops, seminars and product demonstrations are being scheduled. CEU’s, provided by Oak Hill, are available for NEAT workshops and seminars and NEAT Members receive discounted fees for training. For a complete list (including a detail description)of NEAT workshops, seminars or product demonstrations or to register visit our website at www.neatmarketplace.org or call 860-243-2869.