A scene of people with various disabilities gathered around a blue lake, enjoying their home, community, the out-of-doors, health, recreation, housing, transportation and education with an accessible path for them to a high mountain and large yellow sun on the horizon.  New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.


Press Releases: 2011

New Horizons Un-Limited - Access Technology Initiative - Celebrates 10 Years!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
New Horizons Un-Limited
P.O. Box 510034
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 299-0124
Email: horizons@new-horizons.org

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New Horizons Un-Limited - Access Technology Initiative - Celebrates 10 Years!

In the Autumn of 2000, with a contribution of computer equipment from R.W. Baird and Co., NHU partnered with the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay to create our first accessible computer training program for individuals with disabilities.

Since then we have partnered with organizations such as St. Clare Management, Common Ground Ministry, Easter Seals Kindcare, Richardson Manor Apartments, and Welcome H.O.M.E. to develop training centers and bring accessible computer training workshops directly to our most isolated community members with physical disabilities in locations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin providing individuals access to employment applications, health care benefits and other Internet tools.

With the Changes in the Wisconsin State Budget Computer Access Becomes Imperative for People with Disabilities

With the proposed 2011-13 Wisconsin State Budget, access to benefits will become increasingly automated through computer systems. It will become imperative that people with disabilities have the knowledge and the resources to access the state’s system. Our work at New Horizons Un-Limited and our partners will continue to try to close the digital divide for the 1.1 million people with disabilities in our state with computer assistance and training.

In 2004, with the help of volunteers from various IT backgrounds, our first computer recipient was granted a refurbished computer for use in her own home. Since then more than 600 individuals have received a refurbished Computer Workstation and NHU has provided Computer training and Help-Desk technical support to each individual recipient to ensure each granted computer continues to be useful well into the future. Our computer recipients are grateful for the opportunity to work from home, for school, to pay bills, connect with family and friends and much more.

Having Access to a Home Computer really has made a difference through the years

The following are a few of our NHU Access Technology computer recipients’s comments:

Ginger: With my disability, I have had an increasingly difficult time in writing due to the tremors. Your technology program has given me the opportunity to be able to succeed in school and all of my volunteer programs. It is people like you and similar programs that make this world a better place. Thank you so much for the opportunity to succeed in going on with my life.

 

Doris : I had hoped to be able to have a computer for home use because my disability made it difficult to go out. I wanted to become more educated in technology. With my NHU home computer, if there are things I do not know, I can look them up on the Internet. I have been able to find out how to care for my kids and grandkids, and find information on such things as caring for my fish. Also, as a caregiver of a person with a disability, I have seen how much a computer can help someone find information on their career interests.

 

Roslyn: The home computer from NHU assisted me in my college education. I am a mother and a student and before my computer grant, I had to spend many hours at school completing assignments. With my home computer, I was able to be far more productive, cook dinner, help my children with their school work and research and work on my school projects from home, making life easier. I have since graduated with a degree and have found part-time employment. I continue to further improve my skills through education.

 

Arlene: My home computer from NHU has made life easier and allowed me to communicate and keep in touch with friends and family that have moved far away, I have been able to pursue my knitting hobby from home with access to “how to” videos and to learn so much from other knitters by joining on-line knitting groups. I donate my work to charities and those in need. I enjoy e-mail, shopping for patterns and listening to music.

Send e-mail to horizons@new-horizons.org

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[Updated April 30, 2011]
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