Since 1990, the Nanaimo and Region Disability Resource Centre has provided services and programs to help persons living with a disability to participate as fully as possible: to access information, to learn new skills, to communicate with friends and family locally and around the world. A higher quality of life, confidence and self reliance, increased employability, and involvement in the community are realized when the challenge of acquiring new knowledge and skills is met in a supporting environment. Few skills offer a faster path to independence than computer competence. Here is a brief history of DRC computer programs and projects - a continuing story...
Established in the early nineties, our Computer Program has been running continuously for more than eleven years. Over the years, we have upgraded both the computers and the course content many times.
Our
Computer Programs are student-centred. Personal success is the foundation
of our day-to-day activities. For people with disabilities, having good
computer skills can open doors previously closed and help to overcome
barriers to independence.
We believe the most productive way to learn is in a positive, friendly
and relaxed atmosphere. Our small classes allow for the individual learning
needs of each student to be met. We encourage individuals with little
or no computer skill, or those who have certain fears associated with
computers to come forward and apply.
DRC Computer School programs are funded by BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Community Gaming Grants
2009 was the first year that computer skills from
DRC could reach disabled students in their homes. This project was directed
by Don Cochrane and focused on teaching Internet access to seniors with
disabilities in our community. We trained groups of computer-savvy seniors
as tutors who in turn visited disabled seniors in their homes, teaching
them Internet skills. Our goal was to reach out to seniors who want computer
assistance, but perhaps cannot get out too often. This program helps keep
seniors socially active, and -- best of all -- it was free of charge.
The project grew far beyond our original expectations. In addition to
our Nanaimo-based program directed by Gerry Wolfe, we expanded to include
Oceanside where the program simply took off -- under the direction of
Joyce Morrison.
Don, Joyce and Gerry
This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Blind
and Low Vision Students
The Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre hosted an introductory computer training program for the blind and visually impaired in October and November of 2009.
The 10 day hands-on program was introduced by Albert Ruel and taught by
blind instructor, Cherryl McNab. This incredible lady teaches computer
skills to the blind throughout Western Canada. Students loved her course
and feel a sense of freedom to be able to use the computer to find information
and communicate with friends and family - opening doors that were previously
closed. Participants learned basic computer literacy with both ZoomText
and JAWS, with the focus on getting access to word processing, email and
the Internet through the keyboard and sound.
The introductory training program was funded by the Federal Department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada and by the Canada Council of the Blind. It was developed by the blind for blind computer users and has provided the information the Centre needs to develop computer stations with software specifically designed for blind and low vision users.
In 2010, we received a grant from the City of Nanaimo allowing us to purchase computers and assistive software especially for teaching blind and low vision students and to support additional instructors.
