The Up to 3 Early Intervention Program at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at USU recently helped the Hispanic families who have children with disabilities in their program to get computers so they can access more resources online. Rafael Gutierrez, the Hispanic Liaison for Up to 3, worked with the Electroregeneration Society in Salt Lake City, Utah in getting computers for 10 local Hispanic families at little or no cost to them.
The Electroregeneration Society is a nonprofit organization that offers affordable access to technology by refurbishing computer systems, including computers, monitors, keyboards, and mouses. They provide free computers to nonprofit organizations, as well as offer low cost or cost-free equipment to individuals via their service-for-equipment program. Individuals may obtain a computer via purchase or at no cost by completing 15 hours of service to their organization.
These computers will allow the Hispanic families enrolled in the Up to 3 program to access many services that were only available through telephone, mail or on-site before. Now, it will be much easier for the Hispanic population to fill out online applications and get information about resources by using their new computers. Many agencies have web pages that are already in Spanish or can be translated into Spanish by online translation software. The processing of the information online is more accurate and takes less time.
They can access many services online including the following:
- Health: Physical, mental, dental, Medicaid, Sliding fee providers, Chip, etc.
- Food: WIC, Food Stamps, Food Pantry
- Education: Childcare, MHS, EHS, CDL
- Housing: Rent, Heat, Section 8
- Legal: Immigration, etc.
- Utilities: Electricity, Phone, etc.
- Driving, driving license
- Employment: Job, Unemployment
- Family support: welfare, resources
- Finances: UIDAN, USU Family life Center
Gutierrez is providing follow up meetings with the Hispanic families that have received computers to teach them how to effectively use the internet to access services. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the English Language Center Computer Lab. 1544 N. 200 W., Logan, Utah.
For more information, please contact Rafael Gutierrez.
