Assistive Technology Services

Lisa Fiano

Lisa has been with CREC since 2006. Lisa’s career began in 1985 as an Assistive Technology Instructor for students with severe and profound disabilities. Newington Children’s Hospital then hired her as a Special Education Teacher. Prior to joining CREC, Lisa worked for 15 years as a Special Education Teacher and Case Manager at Rockville High School in Vernon. Lisa earned her B.A. in Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Vermont, her M.A. in Special Education from the UCONN, and her 6th Year Degree from CCSU. She is certified in K-12 Special Education. She has also completed all certification requirements for her Connecticut Reading and Language Arts Consultancy. Lisa has also presented at several workshops and conferences at the local and national level on Universal Design for Learning, Structured Literacy, and Assistive Technology. She provides services to CREC member districts in Educational Benefit of the IEP, inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning, assistive technology and literacy instruction, intervention and evaluation. Lisa was project manager and primary developer of the CREC Blueprint: Building Powerful IEP’s series. She also contributed a chapter to the book Promoting Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom: Creativity, Connections, and Engagement

Nicole Natale

Assistive Technology

Nicole Natale is a Senior Education Specialist for the CREC Resource Group. Nicole joined CREC in 2007 and leads CREC’s work in assistive technology (AT). With over 20 years as a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology practitioner, Nicole has focused her work with school districts on building capacity of teams in providing AT supports and services to students with disabilities. She also provides professional development, technical assistance, and training on a variety of topics regarding AT, inclusion, and adaptations for students with disabilities and Universal Design for Learning. She completes evaluations for students who require AT to access the general education curriculum, as well as for students who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Nicole also uses her expertise to conduct program review and audits of district special education programming in order to affect change for students with disabilities. In addition to this varied background, Nicole has also co-authored a number of publications, including “The Assistive Technology Guide for Maximizing Learning for Students with Autism” and “The Blueprint: Building Powerful Special Education Practices.”

EJ Piccirillo

Assistive Technology

Edna-Jo “EJ” Piccirillo is an Education Specialist with the Capitol Region Education Council Resource Group. In this role, EJ focuses her work on support for educators who work with students with disabilities that use and benefit from technology to access the curriculum. Prior to joining CREC as an Education Specialist, EJ spent four years in the schools as a speech and language therapist. Her experience ranges from pre-K students to age 21, and she has clinical practice working with students and families with complex communication needs. Her areas of professional interest include alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, and other reading/literacy disorders. She holds a Master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, as well as a Department of Public Health license (061) and a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).