Rockland Independent Living Center Debuts County’s Largest Computer Training Center for People with Various Disabilities

Rockland residents who have a range of disabilities, from those with hearing impairments or are sight impaired and those with developmental and or learning challenges, now have access to an expanded and fully updated computer learning center thanks to nonprofit Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC).

RILC’s William H. Mullin Computer Center, located at 873 Route 45, Suite 108, in New City, is the largest and most comprehensive computer learning and training center for people with disabilities in Rockland County. The 1,500 sq. ft. Center offers 14 computer stations with Windows 7, an interactive SMART Board for class instruction and a multitude of hardware and software upgrades and new advanced specialized software and hardware to assist people with disabilities. The Center is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with classes held in the evenings.

New York State Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski secured a Department of Labor workforce and training development grant of $15,000 from the State for RILC to purchase software, hardware, and accessible equipment and training programs for people with disabilities including veterans to procure meaningful employment, as well as for education support and enrichment for school-aged children with disabilities. Local businessman Larry Weiss, president of Atlantic, Tomorrow's Office, donated to the RILC Computer Center an $8,000 70-inch SMART Board, which is an interactive white board with touch screen capability for more effective training.

RILC Executive Director, George Hoehmann, said his organization is delighted to expand this badly needed capability to people with disabilities in Rockland.

“Computers and software are the engines of today’s work environment,” Hoehmann said. “We know that people with disabilities here in Rockland are part of our productive workforce and want to advance their capabilities and opportunities. Our expanded and upgraded computer learning center provides them with the avenue to obtain and improve their computer and software skills and enhance their employment readiness.”

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Hoehmann noted that Rockland Independent Living Center, the only Independent Living Center in Rockland County, is a recent recipient of the National Work Readiness Credential Program, the first national, portable certification of work readiness. The Program assesses the skills, knowledge, and tasks identified by businesses as important to successful performance by entry-level workers. RILC utilizes this information to tailor computer classes and training to maximize this readiness. The 90-hour course is administered at RILC and in local schools, and consists of four modules: Work Skills in Reading, Work Skills in Math, Work Skills in Active Listening and Work Skills in Situational Judgment. RILC will also participate as a test site.

Zebrowski said being able to help people with disabilities, especially veterans and children with disabilities, is one of his highest priorities and noted that technology is today’s lifeblood of learning and opens a world of opportunities for people with computer skills.

“RILC has done great work with its computer center, but as we all know, computers and software quickly become outdated and obsolete. I was able to secure a State grant that will ensure that RILC has the most up-to-date technology in order to continue to provide cutting edge computer training to the disability community. It is exciting to see this project come to fruition, knowing that it will create opportunities as well as continuing to improve lives.”

The RILC Computer Center offers a wide range of learning, from basic computer literacy such as computer concepts, use of email, Internet and word processing to Learn Key, a national certification program with a package of software products designed to train individuals in employment-related skills such as the Microsoft Office Suite, and soft skills designed to improve employment outcomes. Learn Key also provides testing and certification that can be a resume builder for participants. RILC would use the software to certify veterans with disabilities in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Learn Key programs allow veterans and people with disabilities to become certified in database administration and web development fundamentals. 

Specialized learning software and resources at the Center include: Lexia Reading, a program used in many schools to access reading level and designed to improve reading ability in a scaffolding environment; CCTV, a high resolution magnification hardware that is essential for many people with visual impairments; JAWS screen reading software; MAGic screen magnification software; CRT magnifiers to assist low vision consumers; Sorenson VRS videophone for deaf and hard of hearing consumers; new optical mice and large print keyboards to assist with vision impairment, and accessible equipment and books that are in large print and Braille, and audio books.

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Hoehmann said that the RILC Computer Center offers a variety of free classes and ones with a nominal fee, ranging from a Recreational Basic Computer Class for those individuals who are not returning to the workforce but are in the need of basic computer skills and more intensive classes for workplace training and job readiness.

“With more than 200 people currently using our Center annually, the challenge will be to meet the demand for these computer classes,” Hoehmann said. “We are continuing our efforts to seek additional grants and public and private donations to help us fund for more training classes, and open more employment doors for people with disabilities in Rockland.”

For more information about the RILC Computer Center call 624.1366 (Cap Tel. 624.3053) or visit RILC.org or email info@RILC.org.