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The TechBridge Value to NonProfits Extends Beyond Technology
Helping people with unique learning and training needs often requires highly specialized equipment. Organizations that work with special needs clients typically have staff that is well versed in purchasing and implementing custom technologies. The Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) is no exception. But CVI discovered that partnering with TechBridge gave it a resource boost and created new technology opportunities that added considerable value to their recent technology project.
Providing equal access to jobs and education to people who are blind and visually impaired, CVI teaches its clients to become totally self-sufficient and competitive in today's job market. CVI has a computer lab equipped with special use technology to teach vital skills, but the systems had become outdated
The Relationship Begins CVI applied for and secured a grant from the United Way to upgrade its computer equipment. This particular grant came with a preprequisite that TechBridge serve as consultant to ensure that the project stayed on track. Initially, CVI accepted the provision with a healthy dose of skepticism.
"We questioned the value of using a consultant, because we know the equipment we need and have strong relationships with the vendors that supply it," said Bill Woolf, associate executive director, CVI. "Partnering with TechBridge, however, turned out to be a real plus for us. In addition to providing some very welcome manpower, they brought their technology partnerships to the table, which helped us significantly enhance the scope and value of our acquisition."
TechBridge worked closely with CVI technical staff to negotiate favorable deals on the specialized hardware and software CVI needed. This included an embossing machine, which allows CVI clients to print documents in Braille, and 19-inch split screen close circuit TV monitors that can magnify images on a computer up to 80 times, allowing partial vision clients to read material on screen. The project team also tapped into Hewlett Packard to obtain special optical character recognition (OCR) scanners, which transfer scanned material into a computer or directly to the Braille embosser. In addition to the software needed for the specialized hardware, the team also installed Dragon Naturally Speaking, software that uses voice recognition to read spoken text into word processing systems.
A Powerful Reminder "Organizations like CVI are the reason we work at TechBridge," says Greg Sims, senior consultant at TechBridge. "One visit to their offices and the value of technology becomes immediately evident. CVI's clients are exceptional people who really are driven to determine their own paths in life. They were using the new equipment almost before it was out of the box, and they knew exactly what to do with it. That type of instant feedback and impact remind us that we work to make a positive influence on the nonprofit community."
Atlanta's NPower Affiliate Thanks to its membership in the NPower Network, TechBridge was able to help CVI apply for and receive a technology grant for free Microsoft software including Windows Server and 50 licenses for the Windows XP operating system. TechBridge and CVI subsequently negotiated maintenance agreements that enable CVI to upgrade its systems in the future as new versions of the software become available. "We hadn't really considered a comprehensive systems upgrade because of the cost," Woolf explained. "TB introduced us to the NPower program, and as a result, we were able to standardize our technology on the latest Microsoft platforms. As an added touch, we also obtained multiple versions of the software to match our clients' specific system needs."
Driving Technology Value TechBridge also leveraged its partnership with techfoundation.org to obtain a new Dell laptop desperately needed in the CVI classroom. (Techfoundation.org is a service organization that matches NP technology needs with major hardware to provide low cost, tax exempt equipment.)
"TechBridge proved to be much more than just a project manager," said Woolf. "By putting their relationships to work for us, they became a real technology enabler for CVI."
The Center for the Visually Impaired
The Center for the Visually Impaired provides equal access to jobs and education to people who are blind and visually impaired. The organization teaches its clients to become totally self-sufficient and competitive in today's job market by teaching computer training and other technical skills.
NEWS UPDATE
Technology Innovation Award - Call for Entries
TechBridge is now accepting applications for the fourth annual Technology Innovation Award to be announced at TechBridge's Digital Ball, Saturday, May 7, 2005.
The TechBridge Technology Innovation Award, given by Accenture, honors Georgia-based nonprofits whose innovative use of technology impacts their overall mission, efficiency of day-to-day operations, effectiveness in serving clients and key stakeholders, and increased fundraising, advocacy or volunteer efforts.
The winner receives $40,000 in TechBridge Services & Microsoft Software and finalists receive $15,000 in TechBridge Services & Microsoft Software.
Click here to complete the Online Application
All entries are due by February 28, 2005.
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