Technology Tamers Newsletter

Our VIP Scholarship Program - can it be a model for inclusive computer vocational rehabilitation for the state?

One year ago, Technology Tamers rethought how we offered our scholarships; we then designed what we call the Vocational Intervention Program (VIP). Part of our business is conducting software training and career development for people with disabilities. We created this scholarship program as a response to the decline in technological training opportunities and vocational information in our planning district. So far, we have given out 50 scholarships and now have over 10 referring agencies who participate. Organizations like The Salvation Army, University of Virginia Hospital, UVA Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Albemarle County Social Services, On Our Own, Focus Woman’s Center, Region Ten Community Service Board, and several local churches are a few of our partners. This month, we launched a new WEB Site, careerandcreativity.com to enhance the experience of our current Voc Rehab clients and to increase our outreach to more people in need of support. We now feel we have the total system in place to provide a winning formula for computer technology training and employment.
VIP features include:

Our philosophy is simple. We believe in free, on request, vocational training for individuals with low incomes and people with disabilities. There is a great deal of discussion about the "digital divide" growing between rich and poor countries at a global level. Deficiencies in technological access, skills acquisition and vocational opportunity are increasing in underprivileged areas of our world. We believe it is abundantly clear that Virginia is facing the same issues and little funding and education are occurring to correct the situation. Only a very small number of Virginia's less fortunate citizens and individuals with disabilities get the technological training they need to advance to adequate employment. These folks can not afford community college courses and private vocational institutions. They also have difficulty with the rigid scheduling, transportation and large diverse classes that are standard for these conventional training programs. Additionally, budget reductions at State and Federal technology training programs levels have led to changes in eligibility. As a result, only a very small fraction of those needing technology skill improvement can be enrolled and are ever served.

Technology Tames sees the current minimal training service status quo as unacceptable to our society's well being. Technological illiteracy and the unemployment or under-employment that result cause severe suffering and stress to individuals and families in our immediate community. Career and Creativity.com and Technology Tamer's VIP scholarships are building a new model for computer technology instruction and vocational rehabilitation that offers economical solutions to this societal challenge.

Currently, the VIP is funded by our other business activities and our vocational training work with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. If this program interests you let me know as I am looking for ways to expand this economical and effective system.

VATS Advisory Council Underway- Recycling Imperative

Commissioner of the DRS, Jim Rothrock, has appointed Doug Owens to represent the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities on the new Virginia Adaptive Technology Council Advisory Board. October 25th was this board’s second meeting and Doug is excited about the people and the mission of this important organization. The board’s job will be to advise and set direction for the Virginia Adaptive Technology System. VATS has a great history of working hard to release the creativity of people of disabilities through technology. Ken Knorr, the director, and his team are dedicated to supplying Virginians with up to date information on adaptive technology and encouraging system development for more access to this equipment.

Doug Owens, director of Technology Tamers, reports that

Employer Resource and Recognition Day

On October 18^th Charlottesville held Employer Resource and Recognition Day at the Albemarle County Office Building. Over 100 individuals from business and other organizations attended this event which honors employers who have been nominated for excellence in the hiring of people with disabilities. This year Aramark Dining Services at the University of Virginia won the Martha Tarrant Employer of the Year Award from the Thomas Jefferson Area Disabilities Services Board. Technology Tamers sponsors this award with a $500.00 technology implementation gift. Linda Black & Mora Sims and the entire Aramark team do an outstanding job with outreach to individuals with disabilities in hiring and supporting their employment. They are a fine example of human resource excellence.

Other nominees included:

This event was made possible by the Charlottesville Workforce + Consortium. Special thanks go out to the Department of Rehabilitative Services and the DRS Workforce Network for funding and staff support for the event. Thanks also to Albemarle County and the Department of Social Services for use of their great facility.

Charlottesville City Council appoints Doug Owens to the Local Workforce Investment Board

On November 7^th Doug Owens became a member of the Piedmont Workforce Network Board. This board provides leadership and direction on local strategic workforce issues, identifying local needs and developing strategies to address those needs. This group oversees the One Stop program in planning district 9 and 10 and is mandated to coordinate and integrate services for all State agencies regarding employment. This system has been in the making for several years and is evolving because the Federal government believes that all employment service should be centralized. This is having a growing influence on the individuals with low incomes and people with disabilities— those in most need for vocational rehabilitation. Doug’s interest on the board will be to see that the educational and vocational experience directed by this organization is inclusive, highly motivating and successful for all Virginians.

That is all the news we have to report in this newsletter. If you have any questions or comments let us hear from you. Contact us at info@technologytamers.com.