Tapping Technology - AT in the Community- A Nonprofit Effort

December, 2002

Tapping Technology

AT in the Community- A Nonprofit Effort

Emmanuel Edokobi made a vow to god "right there at Dulles Airport, that if God would allow me to use my left leg and hand just as before the auto accident [in Nigeria], I would use my 3-T's, which are Time, Talent, and Treasure to serve the community I live in." Had he remained in Nigeria, Edokobi's left hand and leg would have been amputated. However, on his arrival in America, doctor's and nurses helped restore movement and strength in his limbs, so that he is no longer reliant on a wheelchair (as he had been for four years) but rather uses a cane now to get around. This, however, was just the beginning of Edokobi's journey in America.

After his physical rehabilitation, Emmanuel Edokobi began work on a second Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science at University of Maryland University College. Though he has worked for various well-known companies and organizations such as American University, Verizon, and Bell Atlantic, he did not have "the peace and tranquility" that he had hoped for, and decided that it was time to complete the vow that he made upon coming to America.

With the help of his friend George Edeh, Edokobi began the United Support Foundation (USF) in the basement of his home in 2001. Since then, USF, which is a community based human service agency, has outlined seven broad initiatives: Health, Education, Environment, Economic Empowerment, Racial Unity, Disaster Relief, and Faith counseling. Within each of these initiatives, Edokobi, Edeh, and the active board members work to provide specific help on specific topics, including but not limited to:

Providing Computer Training For People with Disabilities including Internet, Web Designing and A Complete Package in Electronic Commerce (B2B and B2C).
Providing Employment Interview Skills Coaching, Resume Review and Job Search Training including review on USF's Employment Interview Skills Training Tools and Jobs Search Skills.
Providing Computer Training for the needy, including Web Designing and A Complete Package in Electronic Commerce.
Providing Wireless Network Training, which includes installation and configuration.
Providing Community Health-Care Education on AIDS/HIV Control and Prevention. Training covers preparing candidates for certification in AIDS/HIV-Case Management, which qualifies a successful candidate to become a "Certified AIDS/HIV-Case Manager" (CAM).

"I discovered that so many people in our community are not participating in the opportunities that are being created by information technology. The elderly, needy, young and people with disabilities are not fully integrated [into] the operations of information technology because the required training that will enable them to participate in conspicuously not made available at an affordable price." USF is working to adjust this discrepancy by providing free training to individuals with disabilities. From classes on assistive technology uses, validations, and installations to classes that train both individuals with disabilities and software designers on the importance of Section 508 and how to better integrate 508 compliance into software and web design, USF works to integrate the needs of people with disabilities into the world E/IT.

In fact, on August 30th another class of 25 students completed and graduated from their computer training classes. Held out of state-of-the-art facilities in Riverdale (Prince George's County), USF has created its own Office of Information Technology that acts as the training facility to local residents. Since trainings began nearly two years ago, USF has trained nearly 450 people; a range of pre-designed courses allows students to train in areas of interest, providing them with the ability to become more employable to the community. Students reap the benefits of being trained by a range of professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to those who are willing and anxious to learn. Once students have completed a certain number or required courses, they take part in a graduation ceremony where they receive certificates of completion in their areas of expertise.

The future of USF will be full of challenges and goals as it mounts its new campaigns: Fighting Computer Illiteracy and AIDS/HIV Prevention. It is working diligently to develop new strategies that will strengthen and broaden the 7 initiatives and raise awareness and education in the community. Edokobi states it best, "It is our hope that with the wealth of our experience in these areas...we are set to offer our communities the best of our humanitarian services."

If you would like more information on the United Support Foundation, or are interested in registering for any of the trainings, please contact USF at:

6201 Riverdale Road
Suite 201
Riverdale, MD 20738
P.O. Box 910
Phone: 301-277-7576
Fax: 301- 277-7646
TDD/TTY: 301-277-8813
Toll-Free: 1-888-388-0100
www.usfonline.org
Or email contact@usfonline.org