Being comfortable using a computer is helpful for countless daily activities, including finding a job and staying in touch with friends and family. While the Council offers access technology (AT) training to help people learn how to use adaptive software like screen magnifiers and screen reader programs like JAWS, some clients are unable to afford a computer to use these programs. That’s why we started our Laptop Loan Program.
The Laptop Loan Program is exactly what it sounds like. If we decide that an AT client would benefit from daily practice and they are unable to afford a laptop, we may consider lending them a laptop for a period of time. Because the number of laptops we have available to lend is limited, we are only able to provide them to a select few people at any given time at our discretion.
The program serves our clients in two ways. First, it allows them to practice their AT skills on a daily basis. While some people can get everything they need from AT training sessions taking place once every week or two, others learn best with regular practice. Second, the borrowed laptops make it easier to provide AT training to that client. If someone does not have reliable transportation to our offices, Access Technology Specialist Jim Denham can use special software installed on the laptops to connect to the computer and work with them remotely.
Our Laptop Loan program is made possible by a generous grant from Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired. If you are interested in AT instruction yourself, contact Jim Denham at JDenham@WCBlind.org, or call 608-255-1166.
