User Posts : The Southwest Voice

Free Computer Training

Kern Assistive Technology Center has partner with COMPTIA to offer local individuals who qualify to receive free comptuer training. The Creating Futures program is offered locally through KATC thanks to a relationship the Center has with other Community Technology Centers around the country. Creating Futures provides IT career opportunities to individuals with disabilities; at-risk youth; transitioning military personnel, and dislocated workers worldwide. The program works with employers to identify their hiring needs, then tailors education and training programs to help individuals obtain the skills employers are looking for.

The Creating Futures program is offering the following online courses to Creating Futures candidates

§ CompTIA A+

§ CompTIA Network+

§ CompTIA Server+

§ CompTIA Security+

Individuals interested in obtaining online training should contact Kern Assistive Technology Center to register. Candidate applications will be screened and selected applications will be notified. Training and certification vouchers are at no cost to those applicants that qualify and have been selected to participate in the online training program. Individuals will be provided free access to the internet at Kern Assistive Technology Center. Only candidates dedicated to complete the online training with 90 days and take the certification exam within 2 weeks of completing training will be allowed to participate. For more information or to obtain an application call 852-3291.

Man makes a difference with his life

I am a blessed man. I have a great wife and wonderful daughter who I enjoy spending time with. I have a job I like and get to do good things that I really believe help people while earning enough money to take care of the family. God has been good to me.

I want to share with you a some things about someone who works for me at the office as he is an inspiration to all of us. This man was born with Cerebral Palsy. He says it was a mistake by the docter's that cause a temoporay lack of oxygen to his brain that led to his CP. He is unable to walk and has very limited use of his arms, legs, and hands.

So you some of you are thinking to yourself, "Ok, so how does he work?" He has some support staff that help him get ready in the morning. They assist him (and his wife who also has CP) with the basic hygiene things we all need to do everyday before work. Then he gets in his power wheelchair which takes him to his van equipped with a wheelchair lift that takes him to his son's school where he drops him off. Then he comes in to the office. Once there, he exits his van using the wheelchair lift again, crosses the sidewalk that has a curb cut in it (thanks to him) that leads to his office. He turns on his comuter and accesses it with his headmouse. This piece of technology allows him to point the mouse using his head. This is how he does his work. Using a variety of different pieces of Assistive Technology including an internet relay service, his communication device (like a talking lap top), and a special software than enables him to type faster. Sounds like a lot of work doesn't it? Well it's just every day life for this man. He gets up and does it over and over again and is usually very glad to do it. He likes his job too and does a very good job at helping people with disabilities use technology to be more independent. Do you think he migh be qualified?

We work for the Kern Assistive Technology Center which exists to help people with disabilities be more independent using techonology. We like to think we help technology and humanity work together to make the quality of life better for people and those who care about them. KATC provides information and referral, a loan library, computer training, computer lab, asssessment, and training to people with disabilitities and thsoe who support them in the quest to be as independent as possible in every aspect of life. Anyone of any age with any disability is eligible for services. We thank our Member Agencies, Foundations who provide grants, and private supporters for entrusting us with the ability to administer this program. On January 18, 2008 the Kern Assistive Technology Center will host "Good Time in the Ole Town". The event is our annual fundraising dinner to celebrate the years accomplishments and look to a new year full of challenges and opportunites. We will have a great dinner: BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, sasparilla and all the fixens! There will be a jail so you can lock up someone you like (or not) for a modest donation. We have square dancing, music, a no host bar and an over all good time for all. Tickets are $25 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For tickets you may call, 852-3291.

October is National Disability and Employment Awareness Month

The month of October is National Disability and Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) by congressional decree. Mayor Harvey L. Hall will be issuing a proclamation on Oct. 1 to recognize NDEAM. The Department of Labor Office on Employment for People with Disabilities has come up with the theme of "Talent with no limits". There's a great poster available to promote the event.

Locally, several agencies are working through the Helping Incorporate Reliable Employee(HIRE)-People with Abilities program to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. There are a lot of great people contributing to our community who happen to have a disability. You probably know at least one person who is like this. The goal of HIRE-people with abilities is to match employers with good employees. A number of events are happening on a local level in October to celebrate.

Oct. 1 — Invitation only Luncheon for Employers

Oct. 13 — Golden Empire Special Education Conference

Oct. 14 — 5th Annual Buddywalk

Oct. 30 — Employer Recruitment (a job fair for people with disabilities)

If you are interested in more information about HIRE you can check out our website www.hire-us.net. If you are interested in more information about the benefits of hiring a person with a disability give me a call or send me an e-mail. 852-3291 or amarkovits@kernrc.org.

'An Evening of Mystery" more than average community event

On Jan. 19, the Kern Assistive Technology Center hosted “An Evening of Mystery.”

The event was a non-murder mystery set in the 1950s in which guests tried to figure out who stole a car of one of the characters, John E Good.

“An Evening of Mystery” served not only as a fun time for all who attended, but as a fundraiser for KATC, a private nonprofit agency that serves the technology needs of people with disabilities in Kern County.

One thing that made this event special was the participation by users of Assistive Technology in every aspect of the event, from planning and performing the skit to selling tickets and recruiting sponsors/donors. People who use Assistive Technology were participants alongside other community members to make this event happen. This was a great opportunity for users of AT to demonstrate the skills and abilities they have to contribute to the community.

One user participated by being the DJ for the event. He is in a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy. He uses a head mouse and software on his computer to play the music since he isn't able to us his hands. The head mouse is an infra red tracker that allows its user to access the computer by moving a part of their body around which controls the mouse and cursor. The DJ places the head mouse on his forehead to operate the mouse for him. We thank American General Media for their support and participation in the event as well.

Kern Assistive Technology Center is grateful to our many user participants we serve who support the Center as well as local businesses and member agencies who all contributed to the success of the event. It is with humble thanks that we extend our appreciation to the community for its support.

KATC provides information and referral, a loan library, computer training, computer lab, asssessment, and training to people with disabilitities and those who support them in the quest to be as independent as possible in every aspect of life. Anyone of any age with any disability is eligible for services. We thank our member agencies, foundations who provide grants, and private supporters for entrusting us with the ability to administer this program. For more information, call 861-1346 or visit our Web site at: www.kernatcenter.org