| Project: |
| Computer Refurbishing |
| Project Name: |
| Refurbishing Computers for the Visually Impaired |
| User Group Name: |
| North Texas PC Users Group, Inc |
| Location: |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas |
| WHAT we do |
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Project Description: The North Texas PC Users Group, Inc. (NTPCUG), a 501(c)3 organization, refurbishes computers for the blind and physically impaired. This project is publicized on NTPCUG’s website, www.ntpcug.org, and periodically, there are also newspaper articles. |
| In February 2002 when TCPI had a backlog of 90 orders, NTPCUG was asked by Robert “Bob” Langford, Ph.D., to provide volunteers to help refurbish computers for the blind and the physically impaired. Bob is the founder and President of TCPI and a long-time NTPCUG member. |
| The Texas Center for the Physically Impaired, (TCPI), www.handicapability.org, is also a 501(c)3 organization that benefits the blind and physically impaired. TCPI advertises and takes orders for refurbished computers, subject to a $100 donation for supplies and shipping. |
| As a teenager, Robert was involved in an accident, which left him blind. The incident, says Langford, now 74, changed the course of his life, but not in the way most people would expect. Robert was the first blind student to graduate from his high school, and his university. He went on to earn his Ph.D., taking night classes while teaching blind students during the day. For many years Robert served as executive director of a rehabilitation center, before joining the Texas Commission for the Blind. |
| NTPCUG approved TCPI’s request for assistance and established the NTPCUG Computer Refurbishing Project. TCPI takes the orders and then the NTPCUG Refurbishing Project takes over to complete the order for the recipient. |
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How we will use award money: NTPCUG would use its award winnings to continue to support this computer refurbishing project. In addition, NTPCUG is also looking at the feasibility of starting a new community project involving education. If NTPCUG is fortunate enough to win the Jerry Award, then these funds would provide the seed money to get the bilingual education project off of the ground. |