|
This project
is being established to serve ten counties in Northeast
Georgia: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan,
Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton. The Center will use high-speed,
high-bandwidth Next Generation Internet technology to deliver
information and services to visually impaired persons, their
families, and their advocates.
Community Technology Centers, housed
in 10 resource centers managed by Action, Inc., will be linked to
the main Center. At the resource centers, end users will have access
to free computer technology for personal use, to support a
micro-enterprise, or to take classes. The computers will feature
voice-enabled browsers as well as other assistive technologies to
accommodate a broad range of disabled persons. Hyperlinks will be
established to workforce development resources provided by the
Georgia Department of Labor and other state and federal agencies.
Project
Significance
Northeast Georgia is characterized
as predominately rural, with two-thirds of the residents having less
than twelve years of education. It is estimated that a relatively
high percentage of the people have a disability. The project will
use interactive, multi-media technology to deliver instructional and
training programs, such as Basic Typing Skills, Computer Literacy,
Micro-Enterprise Development, Independent Living, Mobility, and
Braille, to persons with disabilities. The technology will also be
used to maintain e-mail groups, a listserv, and a message board for
end users, families and supporters, and a voice-enabled website with
resources of interest to the visually impaired. Resources will also
be accessible for persons with cognitive and mobility impairments.
Partners
The project partners include: The
Georgia Department of Labor, Northeast Georgia Regional Development
Commission, Action, Inc., the Georgia Association of Community
Action Agencies, the Georgia Family Resource Coordinators
Association, the Georgia Council for the Blind, the National Family
for the Advancement of Minorities with Disabilities, Athens Heritage
Lions Club, Multi-Cultural Coalition on Disability and Diversity,
and the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia.
Back to Top |
