Cognitive Tech Labs for Students with Disabilities

Summary

This Project seeks contributions that will be used to provide stationary and portable computer work stations to schools and organizations serving students and adults with intellectual disabilities. progress reportread updates from the field

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More Information About this Project

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

Students and adults with intellectual disabilities are among those for whom the digital divide is the greatest. Research has shown that computers provide an ideal platform for consistent, repetitive, and self-paced learning opportunities for increased self-direction, independence, and self-esteem. It is estimated that there are between 7 and 8 million people in the U.S. with intellectual disabilities.

Activities

1.) Establish 100 cognitive technology labs in schools and agencies 2.) Solicit applications for computer use by individuals with intellectual disabilities 3.) Review and rate applications under documented guidelines 4.) Provide awards and support

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $1,129
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $298,871
Total Funding Goal: $300,000

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources

Why this Project is Important

Potential Long Term Impact

The long-term goal of the project is to break down financial and attitudinal barriers that have limited computer access for this population through successful, widespread, and hands-on implementation of accessible computer technology.

Project Message

"For the first time, I can read a book. I called my parents last night and told them I am now thinking about going to college. These computers changed my life!"
- Michael Rogers, Former self-advocate on President's Committee

Who is Running This Project

Contact

Daniel K. Davies,
Co-Director
528 N. Tejon St.
Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
United States
7195920347
Email:

Project Sponsor

The Tech Museum Awards

Organization

John R. Davies--Francis Gauthier Foundation
616 N. Nevada Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
United States
719-592-0347
http://www.davies-gauthierfoundation.org

Learn more about John R. Davies--Francis Gauthier Foundation and the project team.


Where this Project is Located

Country

This project is located in United States and can also be found under Education.

For more information about United States, read the Human Development Report on United States or the Wikipedia entry for United States.

When this Project was Updated

Last Updated

This project was last updated on December 19, 2008.

Date Added to GlobalGiving

This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on August 16, 2007.

Latest Update from the Field

New Cognitive Technology Labs Established!

By Steve Stock - Co-Director, December 19, 2008 04:20 PM

The Davies-Gauthier Foundation has recently provided accessible hardware and software awards to two noteworthy organizations.

Oakland University's OPTIONS program provides students with cognitive disabilities who could not otherwise qualify for admission to continue their academic education in a college setting along side their peers. OPTIONS students are fully included in residential housing, classes, campus events, job opportunities, and all areas of on-campus life. The Foundation has provided three portable technology packages to help support OPTIONS students to independently navigate the complexities of campus life through accessible electronic prompting and multimedia scheduling systems. "The technology is especially useful for students with cognitive disabilities since reminders and replays are available where ever the student needs them" notes Lee VanAmberg, OPTIONS Director. "Learning this way will help these students adapt to college classes faster, which fosters success before the students reach a point of frustration."

Innovative thinkers at IMAGINE!, a Boulder, Colorado based agency serving people with developmental disabilities, are busy constructing one of the nation's first smart homes specifically for people with intellectual disabilities (also known as mental retardation). The Davies-Gauthier Foundation acknowledged this effort by awarding the organization a series of accessible desktop and portable computer systems to support increased independence for residents of the Bob and Judy Charles Smart Home in a variety of work, daily living and socialization activities. Alex Andrews, Technology Resource Manager for IMAGINE!, summed up the impact of the donation: "We are very excited and are looking forward to putting your technology to good use. We have about 300 clients that will be potentially benefiting from [the technology donation]. "

To all Davies-Gauthier Foundation donors: Please let us know what you think of this update by providing feedback on our comments section! Thank You.



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