MARKETING HELPFUL MACHINES
Exposition Offers Education And Assistance Devices
By Carmel M. Owens
Hartford Courant Staff Writer
April 10, 2000
Kathy-Anne Winnie lost part of her arm as the result of a car accident 13 years
ago. Back then, she said, it wasn't easy to find products to help with her disability. But times have changed.
Winnie attended the second exposition of the New England Assistive Technology Marketplace
held last Wednesday at The Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill School. The NEAT Marketplace is a program of CIB/Oak
Hill designed to educate the public about devices available to people with disabilities. The group also works to restore durable
medical equipment.
"I just really think this is a good program," Winnie, of Springfield, said. "You
need help, you want help, you just don't know where to go sometimes."
NEAT Marketplace opened in September and is housed temporarily in a building on
the Oak Hill campus off Holcomb Street. Plans for a new on-campus building are in the works for September 2001.
During the exposition, a new computer lab was officially opened. The lab features
special keyboards, computer mice and software programs for people with disabilities. The lab will be open five days a week
for those who are considering the purchase of new equipment but want to learn if it's right for them.
"The idea here is that people understand that we're here when need questions answered
about technology," said Rebecca Earl, vice president of CIB. "This is the standard in the new millennium."
NEAT accepts donations of all durable medical equipment and restores them for other
companies who sell them to the public at a reduced price. They also take equipment on a consignment basis, as long as the
product is worth at least $750.
Kim Raub attended the exposition with her 2-year-old son, Teddy, who has polymicrogyria,
a disease that prevents him from speaking. Raub, of Wallingford, attended with her son's speech therapist, checking out the
latest in voice technology. Although shi is teaching Teddy sign language, Raub said she needs to seek out alternative forms
of communication too, since most people don't use sign language.
"There's nothing worse than buying something blindly, spending $300 for something
that doesn't work for you," Raub said. "We have to make sure he communicates so he doesn't get frustrated. When he gets frustrated,
he gets angry."
Aside from the computer lab and equipment repair, NEAT Marketplace director Lee
Learson said training and workshops are being planned. On April 26 there will be a workshop on environmental modifications:
a June 1 workshop will explore sports, toys and recreation. On May17 Neat will sponsor the New England Wheelchair Sports League
Seminar, at which specialized wheelchairs for racing, tennis, soccer and more will be available.
For more information on NEAT Marketplace, please call Lee Learson at 242-2274,
Ext. 3378.
