Hyde and Watson Foundation Supports Vision Loss Alliance of NJ's Technology Learning Lab
DENVILLE TWP. - Thanks to grants from two foundations, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is on track to open its Technology Learning Lab in early 2020 and enhance both the personal and professional lives of people with vision loss.
The William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation contributed $25,000 to the initiative, while The Hyde and Watson Foundation gave $10,000, according to a release issued by the Alliance.
“We are grateful to both the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation and The Hyde and Watson Foundation for recognizing the value in this initiative,” said Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey Executive Director Kris Marino.
“People who are blind or have low vision are a greatly underserved population, and our Technology Learning Lab will help them increase their independence, as well as their and peace of mind,” Marino added.
Participants will learn to use specialized desktop software that magnifies and reads text, and to get the most of out of their virtual assistants.
Vision Loss Alliance, the only comprehensive, nonresidential vision rehabilitation program for adults in New Jersey, identified a need to broaden the scope of its technology program to include training in specialized software like Fusion for desktops, and getting the most out of Alexa and Google Home devices.
The nonprofit has been teaching participants how to harness the power of their smartphones and tablets since 2011.
“We’ve found a lot of people need to be trained in using a desktop to go back to work,” Marino said...