Michigan
Mott Community College Technology Centers
Type of Grant: CTC
Amount of Grant: $631,047
Non-Federal Support: $538,297
Date of Award: 1999-2002
Project Partners: Great Lakes Baptist District Center, Disability Network, Hispanic Community Center.
Contact: Robert Matthews
Phone: (810) 785-3300
Email: rmatthew@mcc.edu
With initial support from a CTC grant, Mott Community College (MCC) was able to establish three community technology centers in partnership with the Great Lakes Baptist District Center, Disability Network, and Hispanic Community Center. The goal of these centers is to expose the local community to technology via channels they trust-grassroots community organizations.
Using assistive technologies such as a hands-free input system, adaptive keyboards and screen reading software, the Disability Network's CTC prepares people with disabilities to live independently and to be competitive in the workforce. The center also evaluates and identifies assistive technology needs for those who cannot afford to pay the $300 that such an evaluation would typically cost.
The center serves individuals from as far away as the Upper Peninsula but primarily focuses on serving Flint, Michigan. Douglas, a man from Flint, has cerebral palsy that limits his mobility and ability to communicate. Adamant about living independently, Douglas decided to invest $7,000 in software that would help him communicate and use a computer. The Disability Network made his investment worthwhile by providing 80 hours of free software training and customizing the software and hardware accessories to his needs. Douglas now volunteers and teaches at the center and takes 15 seconds to say something that would ordinarily have taken 15 minutes to communicate by pointing out letters on an alphabet chart.
