Donka, Inc. helps make great adventures possible through assistive technology training

Have you ever been around someone who could make any day an adventure? Who oozed so much positivity that you felt you could do anything? If not, you need to spend some time with Curtis Grimm. This young man takes everything life throws at him, which is quite a lot, and turns it into something wonderful.

Born with birth anomalies, he relies heavily on his parents and an electric wheelchair for physical tasks. His brain, however, is in excellent working order and being challenged everyday as he works towards his goal of becoming a meteorologist. "I'm currently attending Waubonsee Community College," said Curtis. "Once I finish there, I'm looking to go to either Florida State or Northern Illinois since both have good meteorology programs."

Studying meteorology requires a tremendous amount of analytic skills, an area in which Curtis excels. While he is great with numbers as evidenced in his high school days by being his basketball team's statistician as well as through his success in fantasy football, he is also good at analyzing his situation and needs. He knew that his success in college would mean learning computer skills beyond emails and surfing the internet.

He also knew using a computer with his physical challenges might be difficult. Then he was referred by his DRS (Department of Rehabilitative Services) Case Manager to Donka, Inc., an organization that offers assistive technology training in two computer labs located in the Illinois Worknet office in Aurora and the DuPage County Convalescent Center in Wheaton.

Since 1987, Donka, a not-for-profit organization, has provided services that create personal empowerment, socialization, self-advocacy and job readiness for people with disabilities through state of the art technology. Donka is known for its personalized curriculum which can be tailored to meet the needs of the student.

At Donka, Curtis worked with his instructor, Rick Schopp, in setting up his personal goals for the program. "I knew some of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint but had no clue about Access and Excel," said Curtis. "I knew I needed to know these programs since they would be an essential part of my daily job as a meteorologist." By using the voice activation software, Dragon, Curtis was able to become adept with the Microsoft programs after only two months. "The most special thing about Donka for me was the one-on-one training with Rick. He went step by step and helped guide me through each book explaining everything so I could understand it," said Curtis.

Besides the valuable computer training, Curtis also learned how to build a resume, search for jobs, and how to do an interview. His training was free. "I'm so very thankful for the donors that keep Donka open. Without this program, I don't know if I would've known where to start."

When talking with Curtis, you quickly realize that this person is poised for many great achievements because challenges are not limitations and the word, "no" can actually mean, "yes, there has to be a way". He's always ready to try something new and help someone out. Life to him is an adventure, "If it's not an adventure, then what am I doing wrong?" he muses.

It will be exciting to see what's next for Curtis. Stay tuned…literally, maybe we'll see him in front of a weather map on WGN. The next Tom Skilling?

More about Donka

Donka offers computer training with assistive technology and job readiness services to people with disabilities of all ages. This training has helped hundreds of students, adults and seniors become more independent and self-sufficient. All students start Donka's program at different computer skill levels, but they all have one thing in common: a powerful desire to learn and reach their personal goals.

The need is great for Donka's services. In our service area, there are more than 33,527 persons with disabilities of working age (18-64) living in DuPage County; and there are over 21,890 persons with disabilities of working age living in Kane County: this is approximately 4.2% of the total population in each county (U.S. Census, 2014).

In Wheaton alone, where Donka has a computer lab, 2,847 residents under the age of 65 are persons with disabilities, which is 5.3% of the Wheaton population. Of Donka's visually impaired students, 90% are newly blinded. Fewer than 41% of adults with disabilities are able to achieve employment.

In 2015, 74 persons with disabilities received assistive technology and computer skills training through Donka's instructors in Wheaton, Aurora, and Wheeling IL. Over 150 community members - professionals in the field of rehabilitation and education, who regularly work with persons with disabilities, family members of persons with disabilities, learned about assistive technology and resources through Donka's education and outreach programs and 42 Special Education / Education students attending Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, attended AT workshops at Donka's lab as part of their coursework.

Many graduates of Donka's computer training program have gone on to secure jobs which, in turn, has helped them gain financial independence and increased self-sufficiency. High school and college-age students benefit from the individualized instructor attention they may not receive in larger classes.

For more information about Donka, please visit DonkaInc.org or call 630-665-8169. Join us on Facebook @Donkainc.