In February 2002 when the Texas Center Physically Impaired, (TCPI), had a backlog of 90 orders, NTPCUG was asked by Robert “Bob” Langford, Ph.D., to provide volunteers to help refurbish computers for the blind and the visually impaired. Bob is the founder and President of TCPI and a long-time NTPCUG member. TCPI specializes in providing refurbished computers to the blind and visually impaired.
TCPI, www.handicapability.org, is also a 501(c)3 organization that benefits the blind and visually impaired. TCPI advertises and takes orders for refurbished computers, subject to a $100 donation for supplies and shipping.
As a teenager, Robert was involved in an accident, which left him blind. The incident, says Langford, now 74, changed the course of his life, but not in the way most people would expect. Robert was the first blind student to graduate from his high school, and his university. He went on to earn his Ph.D., taking night classes while teaching blind students during the day. For many years Robert served as executive director of a rehabilitation center, before joining the Texas Commission or the Blind.
All of the information on the "how" is on our Jerry Award website http://www.ntpcug.org/_JerryAwardApplication/index.html
We have refurbished 1,992 computers to date. We are in the early planning stages, so that we can refurbish computers with W2K instead of W98 SE. However, this also means that the refurbished computers will contain 256 MB RAM. NTPCUG is currently in the process of having a fundraiser, so that each refurbished computer will have 512 MB RAM. That fundraiser will conclude with our December meeting.
Then we will begin to upgrade all of the documentation on our website to reflect these changes.
This project has given NTPCUG a much higher visibility within the DFW. Gil Brand, the NTPCUG member who heads up this NTPCUG project; also works with the Center for Non-Profit Management (CNM). Almost every non-profit in the DFW area belongs to CNM and Gil has helped a number of non-profit groups start their own refurbishing efforts for other non-profits.
NTPCUG is looked to as the expert in this area.
If you need any additional information, just let me know.
Cheers,
Linda Moore
President & Program Director,
SharePoint Project Manager