Grant would help Allentown and Bethlehem groups offer computer training to the blind

By Matt Birkbeck

OF THE MORNING CALL

August 14, 2009

A statewide association for the blind is seeking $500,000 in federal stimulus money to provide computer training for the visually impaired.

If approved, the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind will hire a dozen visually impaired people to provide training with adaptive software for those with low or no vision at 12 association centers throughout the state, including Allentown and Bethlehem.

''We want to set up training centers so that blind people will be able to learn some basic computer skills,'' said Elaine Welch, the president and CEO of the Harrisburg-based association.

The $500,000 request is part of a $2.5 million grant application seeking to tap into more than $7.2 billion set aside for broadband projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The application, to be submitted today by TechQuest, a statewide technology development group, is for several technology projects designed to help disabled and disadvantaged Pennsylvanians.

''The funding will be very competitive,'' said Kelly Lewis, president and CEO of TechQuest, of the grant process. ''The whole stimulus package for broadband is a unique opportunity for us to help as many people as possible.''

In addition to the association, other projects included in the grant application seek funding for organizations with employees with disabilities and working with schoolwires.com, a software company for school districts.

''That would help students with disabilities or special needs gain technology training,'' Lewis said. ''When we pull this off, either through stimulus or corporate funding, it will be a national model duplicated in other states and help a lot of people.''

The association has 30 local community centers and provides a variety of services for the visually impaired to help maintain independent and active lives.

The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Allentown and Visual Impairment and Blindness Services in Bethlehem are among the member agencies that, if the grant is approved, would serve as training centers.

''We provide training on a very limited basis and don't have a large adaptive center, which is what we want to create. And we want to hire blind trainers, and this money will help,'' said Judi Poduba, executive director of Visual Impairment and Blindness Services.

Lewis said he expects the approval process to move quickly, perhaps within 60 to 90 days, and it will take up to 12 months to deploy each project across the state.

Copyright © 2009, The Morning Call

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