New Horizons Un-Limited Inc - On-line Resource Centers

Access Technology: Computer Access for People with Disabilities

Access Technology - Presenting Small Opportunities with Big Promise

Many of those we serve live in isolation. They do not have access to the information, activities and opportunities that the rest of us take for granted. As computers become more and more pervasive in our everyday lives, people with disabilities are being granted fewer and fewer opportunities. By improving computer literacy and access, we are empowering our community members with disabilities to seek out the opportunities that can improve their lives.

Access Technology Goals

Provide a means to remove barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully experiencing and participating in the world around them.
Improve access to information while also providing a means for communication with the outside world via the Internet.
Educate our community members with disabilities on how to apply technology to their lives, enabling opportunities for personal growth and lifelong fulfillment.
Increase computer and Internet use and literacy among our community members with disabilities.

Access Technology Approach

Computer Grants

We grant refurbished Windows XP Professional computer workstations to people with disabilities and their family members who would not otherwise have access to a personal computer.

Between 2005 and 2009, we have granted computers to nearly 600 individuals with disabilities and their families.

Computer Literacy

We offer personalized and one-on-one computer training to empower our computer recipients to seek out the opportunities that can improve their lives.

We have offered hundreds of hours of educational training and technical support at no or low cost to our computer recipients.

Building a Community Network

We develop community computer labs and training programs for our community members with disabilities in partnership with local non-profit community and residential organizations.

With the creation of our computer labs, we have made computer training accessible to hundreds of individuals that would not have otherwise had access to such training.

Technology Mentorships

Via our computer refurbishing program we provide students, both with and without disabilities, hands-on computer repair and troubleshooting training. Our mentorships provide excellent resume content while providing students with essential real world work experience.

Volunteer Skills Training

We offer our program participants an opportunity to volunteer in our office as a means to gain practical work experience and enhance their employment and social skills.