[Arizona-students] Re: Request for Letters of Support

[Allison]

I would happily write such a letter, but would also appreciate some tips on 
how other states and/or groups could apply for the NIDRR grant.  IA is far 
from being the only state who could benefit from such funding.

Allison Hilliker




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Curtis Chong (by way of David Andrews<dandrews at visi.com>)" 
<chong.curtis at blind.state.ia.us>
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Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: [Arizona-students] Request for Letters of Support


> The Iowa Department for the Blind is applying for a National Institute
> on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) grant that will fund a
> project to develop training kits for nonvisual access technology to be
> used by blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind individuals. Each kit
> will contain all the materials needed for a series of lessons on a
> specific computer application or device. Two types of training kits will
> be developed: one for trainers to use in directed training and one for
> individuals to use independently. The kits will focus on the following
> software and devices: computers equipped with Windows, security
> software, Microsoft Office software, and screen access programs;
> accessible Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's); Optical Character
> Recognition (OCR) equipment; digital book readers; and nonvisual access
> software for cellular phones. The kits will focus on software and
> devices that are used in most office settings for document development,
> communications, task and time management, and contact management. The
> materials will be designed for beginner and intermediate level users.
>
> What sets these materials apart from the documentation shipped with
> software and devices is that we plan to provide step-by-step
> instructions, exercises, and other materials to give structure to the
> training for both trainers and clients who wish to learn on their own.
> We are aware that training in the use of nonvisual access technology is
> often in short supply and, at the same time, in great demand. Product
> documentation does not include the element of reinforcement and practice
> of the newly learned skills, and this is a gap we hope to fill.
>
> As part of the grant application process, we are soliciting letters of
> support from individuals or agencies who have benefited from Project
> ASSIST materials in the past, or who would benefit from the proposed
> training kits. We would be grateful if you could take a few moments to
> write such a letter. A suggested draft is attached, which you may use as
> you see fit. Please return your letter to Linda Trogdon at the address
> below by January 10.
>
> Your help and support are greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Project ASSIST with Windows
> Iowa Department for the Blind
> 524 Fourth Street
> Des Moines, IA  50309
> Fax: (515) 242-5781
>
> For any questions about this project, please contact Curtis Chong at
> 515-281-1361 or via e-mail at chong.curtis at blind.state.ia.us.
>
>
>
> The draft support letter appears below, and is also attached (DA)
>
>
>
> I am pleased to support the grant application for the Iowa Department for
> the Blind to produce training kits for nonvisual access technology. The
> proposed materials fill an important gap by providing structured training
> materials not present in documentation shipped with software and devices.
> The user is often faced with a new piece of software or hardware and no
> organized way of learning to use it. The materials produced under this
> grant will be an invaluable resource both for teachers and trainers and 
> for
> clients who wish to learn on their own.
>
> Training in nonvisual access technology for blind Americans is woefully
> inadequate. I am confident that these training kits will help fill an
> urgent and persistent need. I therefore enthusiastically support this 
> grant
> application.
>
>
>


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