Assisted Living Technologies (ALT) in Meriden has partnered with Arc of Meriden Wallingford Inc. (The Arc) and others on a technology center that trains social services providers about electronic devices used to help people with physical or developmental limitations.
ALT is one of the vendors for the equipment and will conduct labs and assist with brainstorming.
The tech center, at 290 Pratt St. in Meriden, will provide a showroom where equipment/software/programs can be viewed and manipulated by the providers and their clients and where providers can assess benefits to their clients from such equipment; learning labs on the equipment, software, programs and apps; training, networking and credentialing for assistive technology assessors; accessibility programming for computers and smart devices; a list of vendors from which the equipment/software can be purchased; and a library of catalogs featuring adaptive equipment and devices.
The center opened in February, but due to space limitations, larger labs and training seminars will be held in public places or existing meeting space throughout the community.
The new Technology Center of Meriden emerged when The Arc, the New England Society of Innovation and Technology (NESIT), and Futures Inc. teamed up on the concept. Social service agencies pay $100 per month to become a member, which pays for the center’s operations. Members cover the center’s staffing needs and write grants and solicit sponsors.
