Computers and More
IT’S MONDAY MORNING AND JOYCE AND DON ARE preparing for another busy week. Joyce’s week will be spent working on life skills while Don is excited about his computer training and research. One very important responsibility each day is to remember their COA identification badge. Joyce and Don are students in Computers and More, a class offered through the Basic Skills division of College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC that was started in 1999.
Computers and More is provided for special needs adults within COA’s 7 county service area, to enhance their specific educational needs, life skills, job skills, and most importantly to enrich their confidence within themselves. This program is provided at no cost to students and is offered within the community at a COA location in Edgewood. To be enrolled, a student must have a developmental disability or brain injury.
This program is offered so adults with developmental disabilities have choices in life. Each student enrolled has the option to attend classes, and stay as long as
Tim Sweeney
they wish. Most students do not want to miss a day. Computers and More is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Joyce and Don arrive each day on ICPTA, a local transportation company, but other students within the program may be brought by their mentors or family members. The program includes group interaction, self motivational activities, and sometimes just some plain old fun. Computers and More offer programs for all functional / learning levels. It also has students who have been transferred to the GED program within Basic Skills to further advance their learning and completion options. At Computers and More all students are treated with respect!
Faye Oliver is the Assistant Coordinator of Compensatory Education, and the lead instructor for Computers and More as well as the driving force behind the ever expanding class. Her dedication and love for her students is evident, as everyday she strives to enrich their day with smiles, encouragement, and support in achieving their individual advancement. On special class days, Barbara Stacey, “The Fun Lady,” comes in with lots of energy to change the pace, offering unique learning experiences such as traveling, creative movement, dolphin training, marching band practice, current events, and hurricane preparation. The mentors even enjoy “The Fun Lady” sessions because they are not only fun, but very educational and informative on every level.
There are seventeen computers at the center which include software for basic community sign recognition, math, English, and life/social skills. These computers also have Windows Professional and internet access. All programs and materials are age appropriate and built on adult learning components. Like most of the students within the class, Joyce and Don started with no computer experience and are now confident in the level of programs and activities that suit each individual
14 EMPOWERED | Winter 2011
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