Appalachian Center for Assistive Technology-ACAT

12/15/2025

Today our ACAT team had a blast with the LKLP Compassionate Heart participants! 🎄✨ We designed custom ornaments for their in-house Christmas tree and shared lots of smiles along the way.
Huge thank you to Sandy and her amazing staff for always being so welcoming and supportive during our monthly visits. We’re excited to see what comes next in this wonderful collaboration!

12/11/2025

Today, the Pre-ETS students from Hazard High School engaged in a community-based project by signing Christmas cards for the local veterans center. Afterwards, each student decorated their own Christmas cookie. This simple, enjoyable activity helped the students celebrate the season as they prepare for Christmas break.

12/10/2025

🎉 Huge shoutout to Hazard Walmart — especially Gina and Melissa! 🎉

Thank you for hosting our PCC PRE-ETS students during their shopping experience today!
Ms. Crystal has been leading a finance lesson, and today each student brought $15, created a wish list, and drew a classmate’s name. With the help of a chaperone, they shopped for items from their classmate’s wish list — a fun and practical way to learn money skills!
After all that shopping, students were welcomed into the lounge for sausage biscuits, drinks, and cookies. And to top it off, some Walmart elves surprised everyone with festive holiday headbands!
Fun was had by all, and we truly appreciate the warm hospitality.

Thank you again to the entire staff at Walmart in Hazard — we are so grateful! 💙🙌

12/09/2025

Just a little Christmas baking fun today at Leslie County High School with the Pre-Ets students.

12/03/2025

Thank you Caroline Mueller from WYMT, for this amazing story, highlighting our CARAT-TOP students!

On Monday, the students along with parents and city, county and school leaders gathered at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health building for a certificate ceremony.

12/01/2025

✨ Bittersweet Moments Today ✨
We wrapped up our final session of the CARAT-TOP Spring 2025 cohort, and celebrated with a certificate ceremony recognizing this semester’s incredible accomplishments.
Students shared reflections on their projects, and the room was filled with support from school administrators, central office leadership, parents, grandparents, and local community leaders.
We’re so proud of the hard work and growth these students demonstrated all semester long. This year also marked a special milestone — it was the first time all three high schools in the county participated together!
We can’t wait to build on this momentum next semester and continue supporting the amazing work of our local high school students.

11/25/2025

Exciting Day for Our CARAT-TOP Students!
Today, our incredible CARAT-TOP students showcased their sensory park projects to local community leaders. Each group presented their innovative ideas and research, then opened the floor for thoughtful questions and discussions.
We couldn’t be prouder — what a fantastic day of creativity, confidence, and community collaboration!

11/22/2025

11/20/2025

💛💚 Happy National Rural Health Day 2025! 💚💛

Today, we’re lifting up the resilience, innovation, and unstoppable spirit that define Kentucky’s rural communities and the . Whether you call a rural place home, serve in rural health care, or simply believe in the power of small towns, today is about celebrating YOU.

Your passion, commitment, and heart make a real impact—every single day. Because of YOU, our rural communities are growing stronger, healthier, and more hopeful for the future.

Thank YOU for showing up, for caring deeply, and for being part of Kentucky’s rural health story. The work YOU do matters! 🌟

11/20/2025

Today, the Pre-ETS students from Perry Central High School visited the ACAT Center. Each student took part in a fun Thanksgiving activity where they designed and built their own turkey. During the process, students learned how to use the Glowforge laser cutter to create the pieces needed to help their turkey stand upright.

Afterward, students worked in groups to build another turkey using adaptive dice and adaptive toolkits. It was a great hands-on experience that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and skill-building!

11/18/2025

Yesterday, our CARAT-TOP students gathered at City Hall to put the finishing touches on their presentations and take part in a practice round!
Next week, they’ll be presenting their innovative ideas to school officials and community leaders — and we couldn’t be more excited to see them shine.
Stay tuned for their big moment!