FREE Computers for Visually Impaired Persons

TCPI provides computers, free of charge (with a $100 donation) to visually impaired persons. (Note: This service is available to residents of the United States and Canada.) We ship an av erage of 350 refurbished PCs per year, bringing the total to 2,300 in five years.

Last November, we delivered the 2,000th TCPI computer
in an award ceremony. See photos of the event.

The donated computers are refurbished by volunteers. This work has been done for many years by John Austin (shown left, below). More recently, volunteers from the North Texas PC Users Group (shown right, below) have joined in the refurbishing operation.

We are grateful for the generosity of:

• GW Micro, who contribute the Window-Eyes screen reader demos that are installed on the computers we distribute
• Dean Martineau of Top Dot Enterprises, who furnishes the computer training tutorial that accompanies each computer.
• Ai Squared, who donate a registered copy of ZoomText, a program that magnifies screen text, for each computer.

We are an official Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR).

Our work includes in-depth discussions and research on synthesized voices, screen enlargement and scanning programs so that the equipment can be used with ease by visually impaired persons. We are also constantly seeking donated computers that we can refurbish and equip with the software to make them useful to the visually impaired.

Due to postal expense and the obstructive practices of some authorities in foreign countries, we are unable to ship computers directly to patrons outside the United States. However, several Computer Centers for the Blind have been started through the combined efforts of public and private organizations and caring individuals who personally take computers abroad as carry-on baggage for personal delivery to recipients. As a result, Computer Centers for the Blind have been established in Vine del Mar, Chile, Trujillo, Peru, and two in Lima, Peru. Soon we hope to have additional ones in Cuba and Nicaragua. Read more.

We are happy to report that computers have been sent to most states, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Bhutan, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Zimbabwe.

Who is eligible?
If you are a visually-impaired person in the United States who is serious about learning and is willing to listen to several audiocassettes to learn the basic steps for using a computer, then now is your chance.

Is there a charge?
There is a $100 charge to cover packing, shipping, and replacement parts. Otherwise, everything is free. You will receive a computer, monitor, keyboard, CD-ROM, modem, speakers, and the necessary software.

What software is included?
Your computer will come loaded with all the necessary software to get you started on an exciting adventure:

• A word processor program that will allow you to write letters, maintain records of your investments, insurance, family history, and other pertinent data.
• An e-mail program that will give you the ability to communicate with millions of other computer users.
• A demo version of Window-Eyes, a screen reader with a voice synthesizer that reads aloud the information on the computer screen.

How do I learn to operate the computer?
We provide each computer user with six audiocassette tutorials on the use of Windows XP and Window-Eyes. Spanish tutorials are available.

Here is your opportunity to obtain a computer that will enable you to do many things that you have wanted to do by yourself. Keep in mind that it will require much reading and study, but through this program you can learn to surf the Internet, get a paying job, or fulfill many other dreams that you now have.

Donors receive tax deduction
We are sorely in need of used computers to refurbish and equip for use by the visually impaired. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and will provide donors a receipt so that they may obtain a tax deduction.

Needs:

• Computer Systems (Pentium III (600 MHz or better), Hard Drives (4 GB or larger), Memory (128 MB or larger), modems (56K baud only), CD-ROM drives, sound cards, video adapters, keyboards, and mice. We also need 17" and 19" monitors.
• We also need volunteers with hardware and software experience in DOS and Windows.

Your tax-deductible contributions of money are also welcome. Your donations, large or small, help us carry on the work of making life easier and more fruitful for the physically impaired.

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