The Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage Learns How a Switch Changed the Life of a Little Girl
Recently, the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage helped Donka, Inc. purchase new assistive technology for their students with disabilities. Donka then showed the Kiwanis members how this technology worked and specifically who it can help.
Leanne Stavenger-Vos, Executive Director, and Monika Rejowski, a teacher at Donka, demonstrated a puff switch device for students with disabilities to use at their computer training program, that require this type of assistive technology to access a computer. "Monika demonstrated a puff switch, which allows someone to access an online keyboard with only the use of their mouth," Leanne explained. "Monika was working in schools and used the puff switch (shown above) with a 5 year old girl who had severe Cerebral Palsy. All she could control was her head. She could not use a pencil or keyboard, so this was the only option. She was highly motivated to learn. With this technology, she now had a way to learn to write, just like her classmates."
This is just one example of the assistive technology that Donka owns and uses to teach students of all ages to become more self-sufficient and independent. Through Donka persons with various disabilities learn or relearn how to use computers to read, write, continue an education or advance skills needed for the workplace.
The Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage purchased two wireless switches for Donka that can be controlled by a "tap" for students who can control use of their hand.
This switch (pictured above) can control hundreds of compatible apps on your Bluetooth-equipped iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, MAC, PC or Android device.
Additional features
• Large target areas for easy activation
• Six modes for additional functions: turn pages, control media (e.g. iTunes) and iOS cameras
Donka relies on the generous support of organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage and the community to help keep their program either no cost or very low cost to the disabled residents of DuPage and Kane counties. If you are interested in volunteering, donating or enrolling in the program, please visit www.DonkaInc.org.
The Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage serves the DuPage County area and is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. They are always looking for new members, so if you'd like to help with the good work they do in the community, stop by one of their weekly lunch meetings. Learn more by visiting their website at CentralDuPageKiwanis.org.