Grant sources for mr/dd

Hey everyone,
I am the IT Admin for a non-profit company that does life training and habilitation for people with mental retardation and/or other developmental disabilities (blind, deaf, autisim, cp, ms, etc). We run 2 day programs and I would like to introduce basic (and eventually higher) computer skills classes into these programs. To that end, I am looking for 2 things.

1. Anyone who has done this type of work before and would be willing to share their experiences.

2. Potential funding sources for buying handicap hardware and software such as braille screen readers and printers, alternative input devices, etc)

I am located in Charleston, WV

Thank you,

Jason

Hi Jason,

I work with a nonprofit organization, Knowbility, whose central mission is to support the independence of people with disabilities through technology. First, let me congratulate you on what sounds like a terrific program. There is every reason to introduce people with deveopmental disabilities to computer technology. Information technology skills have become central to independent living, so your program is right on target.

Please visit the Knowbility website for some background on various programs we have created to ensure that people with deveopmental disabilities have access to technology and the skills to use it. One of our most successful has been the work we do with our local Community Technology Center(CTC). By partnering with organizations whose mission is to provide technology to the community, we have been able to leverage existing community resources and just make sure that the CTC staff has the experience, equipment, and training to work with clients with disabilities.

In addition, we work with school districts to help teachers learn to use appropriate technology to meet the needs of students with disabilites. In particular, we collaborated with the Austin ISD to create computer classrooms for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The results were amazing, improving student grades, reducing teacher prep time and greatly reducing referrals for behavorial problems that had previously made battlegrounds of the classrooms.

As for funding, the first place you should investigate is your state's Developmental Disability Council. They usually have annual grant cycles to fund new programs. In Virginia the DD Council is found at http://www.vaboard.org/ . There is also a network of funders who focus on disability issues. Called the Disability Funders Network, it is an association of inclusive grant makers.

I hope this is what you were looking for and that you will feel free to contact me if we can support your efforts. Once again, congratulations on your dedication to this important mission.

Sharron Rush
Knowbility

Hi Jason,
Unfortunately I can not answer your two questions, but I am interested in learning more about this topic. I am currently enrolled in a Technology (related to Education) class where we have been assigned to create a grant for a fictious company, addressing the needs of the Have Nots.
The programs/services you are seeking funding for are similar to potential tech services and equipment we have discussed in class. Keep me posted on what you find out, this has already given me some ideas for my grant writing assignment!
-Monica