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KidSmart computer arrivals make headlines across the country

News articles and photos in publications from Porterville, Calif. to Washington, D.C. documented the arrival and successes of disability-friendly KidSmart computer centers to preschool programs across the county in late 2008.

Head Starts, preschools, elementary schools and other centers that received some of the 600 computers donated by IBM and PACER Center made headlines in national and local media from Nov. 2008 to Jan. 2009.

Rosalba Calleros, a parent facilitator at Community Parent Resource Center-Children’s Disabilities Information Center in El Paso, Texas, shared a newspaper article that ran in El Dario, an important Spanish language newspaper in El Paso. Like many other publications, El Dario included a photo of groups of children sitting in front of the KidSmart computer, absorbed in an activity.

News of the computer donations and the importance of inclusion for children with disabilities made headlines in national publications such as “The Chronicle of Philanthropy” and LRP Publications. The donations also made news in the Minneapolis Star Tribune in Minneapolis, Minn., and on Minneapolis TV and radio stations, as well as Access Press, Minnesota’s disability community newspaper. KARK TV in Little Rock, Ark. broadcast a story, and the Times Record News, a 100,000 circulation newspaper in Wichita Falls, Texas, also ran an article.

From Guernsey, Wyo. to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., articles about KidSmart computers described the difference they can make for children with disabilities:

• “This can open doors for them that are not normally open. We have some kids with autism here and for them, social interaction is very hard. The bench allows them to do group activities. They learn to share and work together and it’s a nice social thing for all the kids.” (Glennys Sabuco, kindergarten special education teacher) Sandy Journal, Sandy City, Utah; Dec. 23, 2008
  
  
• “They have many handicapped-accessible features such as closed-captioning, and touch screens for children who can’t use a mouse.” (Kris Sandefur, coordinator for the Western Kentucky Assistive Technology Center) Messenger Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.; Nov. 27, 2008
  
  
• “Some of the kids don’t have access to a computer at home so having one here is a real treat to them.” (Stacey Nofsinger, special needs teacher at Terra Linda Elementary School) West Jordan Journal, West Jordan, Utah; Jan. 22, 2009
  
  
• “We are thankful to IBM and their continued support of our children though this generous donation. Many of our children, especially those with special needs, have pre-academic and academic goals that are reinforced by working with these computers.” (Jim McGuirk, Astor Home executive director and CEO) Dutchess Beat, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Dec. 5, 2008