The empower project
Siegfried (Sieg) Drews.
(Current: Six year experience as full time carer for wife challenged by Motor Neurone Disease - Previous: Corporate Management Background)
Disabled Communities deserve access to low cost, user friendly computing to improve daily quality of life. On diagnosis, access to relevant and "peer reviewed" information is crucial to maintain hope.
Many physical disability barriers will be overcome and lack of confidence and knowledge about using computers will be replaced with enjoyable participation in verbal experience exchange and online learning on a local and global basis.
- Objective:
- "To demonstrate a powerful Communication Platform using Portal Technology to provide affordable and user friendly access to relevant information, software and online coaching for disabled communities."
Benefits:
A user friendly Communication Portal will provide "push button type" access to:
- Local, Regional and International Websites relevant to the specific disability of the user
- Internet Based Voice/Video Conferencing with text chat and "page push" capabilities allowing user to user voice communication, or expert to user presentations for up to 1000 simultaneous users
- Low or No Cost Applications such as a Wordprocessor, Spreadsheet, Webeditor etc
- Voice recognition software featuring speech activated typing tool and can read typed text
- Experience and equipment exchange, allowing community members to maintain valuable services
Users will benefit from community communication and purchasing power regarding internet access charges and computer hard- and software cost.
A proof of concept model for the MND/ALS and MS Communities will be demonstrated. Ongoing development is user driven and tailoring to other disability communities is achieved at minimum cost.
This knowledge development approach will particularly benefit people new to computing and country residents living in relative isolation. It takes people on a journey outside their home into a "virtual meeting place" where friendships are formed and positive social exchanges prosper.
Many physical disability barriers will be overcome and lack of confidence and knowledge about using computers will be replaced with excited participation in online learning sessions.