[IL-Talk] FW: Free Computer Course

[davant1958 at gmail.com]

Hello All,

Please see below if you are interested in the free computer course from
either MOPD or Access Living. You can reach out to those entities if you
have more questions.

 

 

From: Christina McGleam <christina.mcgleam at cityofchicago.org> 
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2026 11:32 AM
To: davant1958 at gmail.com; Jocelyn Romasanta
<Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org>
Cc: Rachel Arfa <Rachel.Arfa at cityofchicago.org>; Lauren Hooberman
<Lauren.Hooberman at cityofchicago.org>; Katherine Blank
<kblank at accessliving.org>; Rachel Rush <rrush at accessliving.org>
Subject: Re: Free Computer Course

 

 

Hello Denise,

 

Thank you for sharing this information.  

 

Here are the class options that are available:

1.	MOPD's onsite computer class in partnership with Access Living:

a.	Laptop: built-in screen reader that is installed on the device,
which includes Narrator. Basic introduction to the screen reader is provided
and individuals can get follow-up support as well. 

2.	Access Living's onsite computer classes:

a.	Laptop: built-in screen reader that comes with the device, which
includes Narrator.  Basic introduction to the screen reader is provided and
individuals can get follow-up support as well. 

b.	iPad: the screen reader used is VoiceOver.  There is also another
version of this iPad class tailored to screen reader users with extra time
built in for learning and practicing the VoiceOver gestures.

 

Here is the link to sign up for onsite computer classes with Access Living:

https://www.accessliving.org/our-services/home-and-community-based-services/
the-independent-living-technology-program/

 

I am also including Katie Blank (Senior Manager of Independent Living) and
Rachel Rush (Independent Living Technology Coordinator) from Access Living
to answer questions from the classes offered at Access Living. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, 

Christina 

 

Christina M. McGleam

Deputy Commissioner

 

  

City of Chicago

Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Phone - (312) 744-9079

www.cityofchicago.org/Disabilities
<http://www.cityofchicago.org/Disabilities> 

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  _____  

From: davant1958 at gmail.com <mailto:davant1958 at gmail.com>
<davant1958 at gmail.com <mailto:davant1958 at gmail.com> >
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2026 5:19 AM
To: Jocelyn Romasanta <Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org
<mailto:Jocelyn.Romasanta at cityofchicago.org> >
Cc: Christina McGleam <christina.mcgleam at cityofchicago.org
<mailto:christina.mcgleam at cityofchicago.org> >; Rachel Arfa
<Rachel.Arfa at cityofchicago.org <mailto:Rachel.Arfa at cityofchicago.org> >
Subject: Free Computer Course 

 


 

[Warning: External email] 

 

Hello Jocelyn,

This is Denise Avant from the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois.
Information about the six week computer training course has reached our
listserv via the Chicago Lighthouse. Several members have concerns about
whether the course will be accessible to blind/low vision people in Chicago.
In other words, what screen reader or magnification might be used if a
blind/low vision person wants to take the course and whether the instructor
is proficient in the use of assistive technology (screen readers or
magnification). Also questions have been asked about the quality of the free
computers because of the need to make sure there are enough computer
resources to support screen reading technology. I have urged people to ask
MOPD any questions about the program they may have and also request
reasonable accommodations if needed.

I am aware that Windows uses a built-in screen reader called Narrator and
there is of course Voiceover on the Mack. Plus there is NVDA.

I want to just make a suggestion for future announcements of this kind that
there be a statement that assistive technology is available for those who
need it and that the instructor has knowledge of the technology. 

Thanks.

 

 

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