[IL-Talk] FW: Computer Class

davant1958 at gmail.com davant1958 at gmail.com
Thu Sep 17 10:00:38 UTC 2026 

Hello All,
If anyone is interested in taking this course and want to know more, the thing to do is be proactive and reach out to Jocelyn and ask. MOPD represents all people with disabilities, including blind people. So if you need a reasonable accommodation, you will need to ask. Keep in mind that Windows and Mac computers have built-in screen readers and of course there is NVDA. The course is likely basic - just enough to get blind/low vision users up and going with using a computer. I don't think I am wrong in saying that most of us received some sort of basic training, but had to use a structured discovery approach to further our knowledge on how to get the most out of our technology.
 


-----Original Message-----
From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Robert Hansen via IL-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 10:37 PM
To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Robert Hansen <hansen.robert70 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] FW: Computer Class

Also I'm just seeing people with disabilities. Our blind people welcome in this thing? I mean because that the thing with the people with disabilities is that's a real broad community. And they don't tell you if the computer is a refurbished model. They don't tell you is it a brand new one. You know they really are kind of vague as to what their intentions are. That's what I got out of the thing.

Robert Hansen
Hansen.robert70 at gmail.com

On Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 8:31 PM Mark Peters via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hello all:
>
> All I am going to say is very interesting. Also, depending on the 
> material, are they going to be able to teach it in a 6-week class. For 
> BPN we used to have 6-week classes but then determined that 6-week 
> classes were not sufficient for what we offer at Blind Professionals 
> Network. Lastly, are the free computers going to have the appropriate 
> amount of ram on them to run a screen reader/magnification software. I 
> am very concerned about this class.
>
> Best,
>
> Mark R. Peters
> Assistive Technology Instructor
> Phone: 309-338-8102
> Email: mpetersats at outlook.com
> Book a meeting with me! Assistive Technology Support-Meet with Mark
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Leslie Hamric 
> via IL-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 1:58 PM
> To: dan.tevelde at comcast.net; il-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Leslie Hamric <lhamric930 at comcast.net>; ICB-L at acblists.org; 
> il-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] FW: Computer Class
>
> My concerns about this class or the following: if you get a free 
> computer, would it be set up with the screen reader of your choice 
> meeting Jaws or NVDA? Who is the person teaching this class and do 
> they know what they're doing in terms of assistive technology? Maybe 
> MOPD has resources that I'm not aware of.
> Leslie Hamric
> Cello and Braille Music Teacher
> Vice-President of National Federation of the Blind of Illinois At 
> Large Chapter
>
>
> > On Sep 16, 2026, at 1:51 PM, Dan TeVelde via IL-Talk 
> > <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > This might be of interest to people who live in Chicago. I don't 
> > need the class so I didn't review the attached flyer. People might 
> > want to contact MOPD directly if they have questions.
> >
> >
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Maureen Reid <Maureen.Reid at CHICAGOLIGHTHOUSE.ORG>
> > Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 10:28 AM
> > Subject: FW: Computer Class
> >
> >
> >
> > Wanted to share this in case it benefits you, or someone you know.
> >
> > Please see below.
> >
> >
> >
> > Maureen Reid
> >
> > Job Placement Counselor | Scholarship Coordinator  | Employment 
> > Services
> >
> > Phone: 312.997.3655
> >
> > Fax: 312.445.3640
> >
> > <http://www.chicagolighthouse.org/> www.chicagolighthouse.org
> >
> > <https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoLighthouse/timeline/?ref=ts>
> > <https://twitter.com/ChiLighthouse>
> > <https://www.youtube.com/user/chicagolighthouse>
> > <https://instagram.com/chicagolighthouse/>
> > <
> https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-chicago-lighthouse-for-people-who
> -are-
> > blind-or-visually-impaired?trk=company_logo>
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Jocelyn Romasanta <Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org
> > <mailto:Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org> >
> > Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 10:05 AM
> > To: Jocelyn Romasanta <Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org
> > <mailto:Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org> >
> > Cc: William Gevirtz <William.Gevirtz at cityofchicago.org
> > <mailto:William.Gevirtz at cityofchicago.org> >; Latosha Haywood 
> > <Latosha.Haywood at cityofchicago.org
> > <mailto:Latosha.Haywood at cityofchicago.org> >
> > Subject: Computer Class
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > FREE 6-WEEK BASIC COMPUTER CLASS + FREE LAPTOP!
> >
> > MOPD, in partnership with Access Living, is hosting a free, 6-week 
> > Basic Computer Skills class for Chicago residents with disabilities,
> ages 16- 59.
> > Those who complete the class w
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/complete+the+class+w?entry=gmail&s
> ource=g>ill
> get a free computer.
> >
> > The class will be held in person at Central West Community Center, 
> > located at 2102 W. Ogden Avenue.
> >
> > Perks of the program:
> >
> > *                  Free 6-week course
> >
> > *                  FREE computer upon completion!
> >
> > *                  *FREE year of hotspot internet (*based on benefit
> program
> > enrollment)
> >
> > Important Dates & Schedule:
> >
> > *                  Registration Dates:
> >
> > o        October 1, 2026: 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > o        October 8, 2026: from 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > *                  Class Schedule: meets every Thursday for 6 weeks
> >
> > o        October 15: 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > o        October 22: 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > o        October 29: 10 am- 12 p
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/ober+29:+10+am-+12+p?entry=gmail&s
> ource=g>
> m
> >
> > o        November 5: 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > o        November 12: 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > o        November 18: 10 am- 12 pm
> >
> > Location: MOPD Central West Community Center, 2102 W. Ogden Avenue
> >
> > Eligibility:
> >
> > *                  16 to 59 years old
> >
> > *                  Live in Chicago
> >
> > *                  Have a disability
> >
> > *                  Skill Level: can use a computer to follow along with
> the
> > basic lessons
> >
> > Accessibility & Support:
> >
> > *                  Accommodations for equipment and interpreters can be
> > requested in advance. Please let us know what you need during your 
> > screening.
> >
> > If you have clients who would be a good fit, please have them 
> > contact us to complete their screening:
> >
> > *                  Phone:  (312) 746- 5773; prompt #3
> >
> > *                  Email: MOPDCareerCenter at cityofchicago.org
> > <mailto:MOPDCareerCenter at cityofchicago.org>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >  _____
> >
> > This e-mail, and any attachments thereto, is intended only for use 
> > by the
> > addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or 
> > confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of 
> > this e-mail (or the person responsible for delivering this document 
> > to the intended recipient), you are hereby notified that any 
> > dissemination, distribution, printing or copying of this e-mail, and 
> > any attachment thereto, is strictly prohibited. If you have received 
> > this e-mail in error, please respond to the individual sending the 
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> > e-mail and printout thereof. Caution: This email is from an 
> > [external] source. Be sure to verify the sender's identity before 
> > opening
> attachments or clicking on links.
> >
> > <Computer Class Cohort 7.pdf>
> > _______________________________________________
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