Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 12, 1994 TAG: 9405120085
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
He should know. Before Matthews came to the Roanoke Valley, he said, he had a secretary with only one arm who could type 60 words per minute.
Goodwill Industries Tinker Mountain employs people with disabilities in its Troutville sheltered workshop and trains others to join the regular work force. This year it began a program designed to open new opportunities for disabled people in computer-related jobs, rather than in more traditional labor-intensive work, such as janitorial services and product packaging.
Matthews made his comments during an award ceremony March 23 for the first five graduates of the Project Access Computer Training class. This program combines the resources of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, Goodwill Industries Tinker Mountain and private business.
Although there are 15 similar programs operated by Goodwill Industries facilities around the country, the Roanoke Valley project is the only one of its kind, Matthews said.
Most of those programs cater to people with mild disabilities who probably could be trained in a regular classroom setting, he said. The students involved in Project Access tend to have more than one disability, some of which are severe.
The program, which took two years to plan, operated under a $48,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, said Wanda Osburn, coordinator for Project Access. IBM's Roanoke branch and Nationsbank's Corporate Resources for the Disabled program in Richmond donated the computers, software and furniture.
Instructors are provided by Virginia Western Community College, which gives college credit to those who successfully complete the course.
The first class of six students began Jan. 10. Because of illness, one dropped out. Each student was screened carefully - first by Osburn, then by the Department of Rehabilitative Services - before being admitted.
"We need to confirm their desire to work and to train," Osburn said.
Besides possessing a certain level of cognitive skills, the trainees also had to be able to work with adaptive equipment designed to be used with their disabilities.
Most of the equipment is fairly simple, consisting of special tables with cut-outs to allow a wheelchair to pull up close to the keyboard, compact keyboards for one-handed typing, and special templates that create recessed keys for students with poor motor control.
Many of the computers use a trackball rather than a traditional mouse to execute commands. A trackball is like a mouse flipped over on its back. It sits still on the table, and the large ball can be easily operated with an elbow, for instance, for students with limited use of a hand.
The adaptive equipment is designed specifically for each student by staff members from the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville. When a student is placed in a job, Osburn said, he or she can take the equipment along.
Most of the software adaptations are already built into programs such as WordPerfect and Works for Windows, but are not needed by regular users, Osburn said.
Members of the first class were drawn from Goodwill Industries Tinker Mountain's Troutville sheltered workshop, but subsequent class members are being referred from other service agencies. Some of them already have typing or computer skills but need to learn to work with the adaptive technology, Osburn said.
She said enough students have signed up to fill the next five classes, but "it's just a beginning." She would prefer a yearlong waiting list.
The class will be held three times per year. During breaks between classes, the equipment will be reconfigured for the next group.
Students learn basic keyboarding skills, word processing, spreadsheets and database management. They also are given training in employment skills, such as resume preparation and social skills, because many of the students have never been in the mainstream work force, Osburn said.
The project is "really exciting for them" Osburn said. "Learning something new is uplifting."
Matthews and instructor Debbie Hall recognized each student individually at the graduation ceremony.
Jerry Overstreet's photographic memory was useful in keeping the class on track every day, Hall said, and Rowena Brewer was instrumental in helping everyone get along well.
Angela Gregory, who provided the class with all the hot gossip on everyone else in the building, and E.D. Patterson, whom Hall said "gave 500 percent from the time he started," did well, despite having to type with just one hand.
Charlie Brewer also is a one-handed typist. His biggest achievement was getting his speed up above 20 words per minute.
The next step for the Project Access graduates will be to find a job. After completing the class, they will be ready for entry-level word-processing, data entry or light secretarial/receptionist duties.
Goodwill Industries Tinker Mountain's supported employment staff will make contact with employers. After the students are hired, coaches will accompany them on the job until they feel comfortable with their work.
Companies such as Carilion, Appalachian Power, Holiday Inn, Roanoke Gas, Kelly Temporary Services and Orvis already have shown interest in the program, Osburn said.
by CNB