Teaming for Technology
Community Impact
TRIANGLE UNITED WAY UNITES LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE 80 WITH DISABILITIES TECHNOLOGY AT HOME
The Triangle United Way’s Teaming for Technology Program (T4T) and the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) collaborated to distribute 80 Internet ready computers to individuals from across the state on Oct 6th. Recipients traveled from Charlotte, Winston-Salem and even Jacksonville, N.C. to receive one of the computers equipped with special technology that assists primarily sight and speech impaired individuals; albeit, the computers were given to people with a wide range of disabilities. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina provided the powerful computers required to use this special technology, and SAS Institute provided the extra-large 21” monitors necessary for low-vision users.
Recipients paid $25 for their computer and that is 30 times less than the retail price of the same computer and software they took home. T4T is the largest Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher in the Southeast and has placed 1,281 computers valued at $420,000 in homes, schools and non-profit agencies this year alone.
NCATP is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities to make everyday activities easier and increase independence. Through the partnership with T4T, 178 Internet ready computers have been placed in homes of individuals with disabilities this year.
The T4T and NCATP partnership aim to give an addtional 250 specially equipped computers new homes by the end of this year. The goal of this partnership is to help individuals gain independence by having a tool through which they can learn job skills to return to employment, use technology to enjoy the reading of online newspapers and books, use the Internet to research their disability, and communicate with their friends and family.
T4T relies on computer and cash donations to meet the demands of people in need of computers. Caring individuals and businesses can make a tax-deductible donation by dropping off your equipment at Triangle United Way, 1100 Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 112, Morrisville, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers are always needed to help refurbish donated computer equipment. No tech skills required whatsoever.
To learn more about the North Carolina Assistive Technlology Program please visit, www.ncatp.org.
If you would like to volunteer or donate equipment, e-mail us at t4t@unitedwaytriangle.org or call us at 919.463.5018. Caring individuals and businesses can make a cash or computer donation at Triangle United Way, 1100 Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 112, Morrisville, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations are tax-deductible. Please make sure we can use your equipment before you leave it with us.
T4T hosts a volunteer opportunity called a Hardware Party to prepare for big events. Call or e-mail us for more information. Volunteers are always needed to help refurbish donated computer equipment. No tech skills required whatsoever.