New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
Our History: A Message from Our Founder and Chairman
Our Vision and Mission
Our Programs
Our Accomplishments
The Future
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NHU Volunteer Network!
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We are an impassioned organization, with a staff whole-heartedly dedicated to seeing that all people may have access to all that life has to offer. Each employee and volunteer brings unique personal and professional perspective and insight.
Our Chairman and founder of NHU, has years of professional and personal experience in working to improve the lives of people with disabilities. He has been very active in promoting Wisconsin's disability community for many years and has collaborated with various organizations and community projects in forwarding a vision to provide access to life experiences to people with disabilities.
A Message from Our Founder and Chairman
One cold, snowy afternoon I attended a community meeting which was to discuss controversy over residential housing for the disabled. Here I was at yet another crucial meeting to discuss the needs of the disability community and one key ingredient was missing as always - those affected by disability!
As I pondered over this issue, I realized people with disabilities have a very minimal voice in determining their own destiny. I thought to myself, I have to find a way for people affected by disability to communicate with one another, share ideas and solutions, conquer problems, and most importantly keep track of what's happening in the ever changing world around them.
From this notion, I began New Horizons Un-Limited, a non-profit organization who believes that people affected by lifelong disability, if given access to information and communication tools, may affect positive change in their lives through self-determination and may realize equality, respect, and ultimately greater opportunity in our communities.
Since our beginning, we have recognized the power that communication and computer technology, as a communication tool, could have in changing the lives of people with disabilities. As such, we have placed great emphasis on making technology accessible to those it can most benefit - people with disabilities. By providing access to information and technology and by promoting inclusive community programs, New Horizons Un-Limited is working to ensure that all people with disabilities may have access to all that life has to offer.
Although it seems as if we have only found one piece of the puzzle, that one piece has accomplished a great deal already. For if we can but only reach one person, we know that person will reach another, and another until we have grown far beyond what we ever expected.
You see, one voice alone is merely a stifled cry in the vastness of society. However, many voices together can create a boisterous uproar that will force the body we live in to wake up and notice a group of individuals it has too long forgotten.
It is the mission of New Horizons Un-Limited to make information and life experiences accessible to individuals with lifelong disabilities. Since 1994 we have been providing access to informational and technological tools to ensure that all people, no matter their ability may have access to all that life has to offer.
New Horizons Un-Limited (NHU) has two basic goals:
To achieve our goals…
Our Programs in a printable PDF format.
It's not just Access to Information… It's Self-Help, It's Self-Empowerment, It's Self-Determination
In an effort to help people with disabilities and their family members find the information and resources they need to fulfill their life needs, we have developed Access Information…
What's the most efficient way to reach people with needed information and resources? Start a website! With nearly 10 years of researching and building, we now offer one of the largest, most accessed resource directories on the web for individuals with disabilities. We have hundreds of pages of information, news and resources covering Wisconsin, the United States and the World. Currently, our website offers:
The great thing about the Internet is that it transcends geographic borders and can offer a place in which people can find a voice without fear of ridicule or stereotype. It brings people together from all backgrounds to exchange ideas in a whole new wonderful way.
To see all that our website has to offer, please visit our Home Page.
Individualized Information and Referral
In addition to our on-line resource directory, we also offer individualized, on-line information and referral services. We are contacted via e-mail by individuals from throughout the United States. Many who contact us are overwhelmed by circumstances they have been unable to resolve alone. With a clear idea of their individual needs, and a thorough knowledge of the disability services field, we provide a referral to carefully researched programs in their area.
If you are in need of personalized information and resources, please e-mail us at horizons@new-horizons.org!
Issued on a quarterly basis, CommunicAbility covers both national and Wisconsin disability news, events and legislative happenings, focusing on what is most important to our community members with disabilities. To subscribe, please visit our Home Page.
It's not just Access to Technology… It's A Sense of Accomplishment, It's A Sense of Purpose, It's Access to a World of Opportunity
We believe that computer and Internet technology can serve as "the" equalizer, bringing people with and without disabilities together to work, live and learn in our communities. Having access to this technology can offer a benefit as simple as having a means to communicate with the world to having a tool for sustained employment or continuing education.
This begs the question then; how can we make this technology accessible to those it can most benefit? With this question in mind, we have developed an initiative called Access Technology, aimed at making information on daily living accessible via technology and making technology available in daily living.
Our Computer Redistribution Program
Via this program, we accept donations of "retired" computers from local businesses and individuals, refurbish them, utilizing the expertise of our student and professional volunteers, and grant Windows workstations both to individuals, for their personal in-home use, and to non-profit organizations for the creation of accessible computer literacy programs.
Thanks to hundreds of volunteer hours and dozens of individual and corporate donors, several hundred Wisconsinites with disabilities have received a computer of their very own via our initiative. A computer, a simple, yet profound tool that has brought about greater self-confidence and ultimately a greater sense of purpose for many of our recipients, among whom we have aspiring poets and novelists and even a few potential entrepreneurs.
We also work with community organizations in establishing easily accessible computer literacy training programs for people with disabilities. We do so by offering a grant of refurbished computer equipment and free use of our training curriculum. Via our partnerships with seven local non-profit organizations, we have provided access to computer training opportunities to hundreds more people with disabilities that otherwise may not have had access.
To read more about how we are helping our community members with disabilities find greater self confidence and sense of purpose in their lives, please read Access Technology: Presenting Opportunities with Great Promise.
In an effort to introduce our community members with disabilities to the ever-expanding world of technology, we provide introductory and intermediate computer training. Classes are designed to give an overview of the most commonly used functions of the computer. We offer everything from mouse and keyboard exercises to basic e-mail and word processing instruction. These classes are perfect for those just getting started on a computer. Individual advanced instruction is also available. Class topics have included Computer and Internet Basics and Introduction to Word Processing for our novice students and Creativity in Word: Creating Cards and Flyers for our more advanced students.
Our Continuing Tech Commitment
Many of our computer recipients are new to the world of computers and need a little extra attention when it comes to installing and using their newly acquired PC. Unlike many other refurbishing organizations, we offer our computer recipients full technical support and access to continuing computer training. We encourage our recipients to contact our volunteer-run helpdesk at the first sign of a problem.
We have further developed a comprehensive on-line Resource Center at which our computer recipients can find information on computer use and maintenance. Our resource center is available at www.new-horizons.org/accesstech. In addition to our resource center, we publish a quarterly newsletter called AccessTech Tips, in which we include helpful and just plain interesting computer use tips.
If you have a computer available for donation, please contact us. We are currently accepting Pentium II (350 MHz or better) PCs and peripherals. All donated equipment will either be used for the training of people with disabilities or will be given directly to people with disabilities for their personal home use. A practical solution to a growing need! We can be reached via e-mail at horizons@new-horizons.org or via phone at (414) 299-0124.
Access Culture and Recreation
Updated August 2006
It's not just Access to Recreation… It's New Experiences, It's Self-Esteem, It's Personal Enrichment
One of the most important keys to a long and healthful life is embracing and taking advantage of each and every opportunity life presents. Recreational and cultural experiences can enrich an individual's life beyond measure, particularly the lives of people with disabilities, who often must focus on the daily tasks of living, much more so than leisurely activities. To encourage our community members with disabilities to fully experience the beauty and wonder of our cultural and natural treasures, we have created Access Culture and Recreation.
In partnership with local cultural venues, we offer periodic events aimed at bringing people with and without disabilities together to enjoy a day away from the everyday stressors that we all know so well! Past Events have included a day sail aboard a replica 20th century tall ship as well as a group tour of a special museum exhibit.
Building Access to the Outdoors, One Cabin at a Time
In support of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' "Open The Outdoors" initiative, NHU worked closely with the DNR's Accessibility Coordinator and several engineers in designing a new template that will be used to build accessible cabins in Wisconsin's State Parks. Months of collaborative planning and consideration of varied accessibility issues is reflected in the cabin design, ensuring that all people with disabilities can freely use the cabin and the park's amenities without fear of hidden barriers.
The first state park to include the newly designed cabin is High Cliff State Park on Lake Winnebago, in Northern Wisconsin. The High Cliff Cabin in the Woods, the 5th fully accessible cabin in Wisconsin, is 1000 square feet, complete with a fully accessible bathroom and kitchen and an accessible sleeping porch. All amenities are accessible including the faucets, toilet, door and cabinet handles and light and cabin controls. The cabin, which opened for business in October 2004, has been booked solid since its opening.
We are currently working with the DNR on a 6th Cabin in Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
The DNR has very popular accessible cabins at four other state parks. The cabins are in great demand every season with very few dates left open. The diaries left in each cabin bear testimony to the sincere appreciation that each visitor has in being able to enjoy the outdoors through these cabins and accompanying accessible paths and piers.
Information on staying at an accessible "Cabin in the Woods" is available on the DNR website.
Updated August 31, 2006
NHU's Access Information Initiative reached out to more people impacted by disability than ever before.
NHU's Access Technology Initiative supported many Wisconsin residents with disabilities in bridging the digital divide.
NHU's Access Culture and Recreation Initiative
Access Information
Access Recreation
Disability Awareness
We are confident that with the continued support from our fellow advocates we will expand our abilities to reach those with disabilities with the resources and opportunities that can improve their lives. Please join us! Make a donation today!
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