Digital Literacy Program

 

Digital Literacy

In 2017, The Arc Southern Maryland embarked on a new mission to create a digital literacy program which would benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as employees of The Arc, developing their computer skills based on their current needs and interests.

By acquiring the resources needed and bringing together a training team that would develop and foster the program, we have gained the opportunity to become a Tech Coaching Center. The Tech Coaching Center curriculum will teach individuals how to utilize various forms of technology in their everyday lives, from work to travel, to money management, grocery shopping, and more.

We offer classes for The Arc’s employees to strengthen and develop skills which can help them to improve their performance in the work environment and to better support people with IDD. Lessons may include basic computers skills, email access and etiquette, or utilizing Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel.

Our Tech Coaching Center, sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal

The Arc Southern Maryland has computers in each office throughout Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Charles counties to help facilitate our digital literacy program. One of our labs contains eight touch-screen computers which were purchased with the needs of individuals with IDD in mind. The purchase of these particular computers, as well as desks, chairs, and headphones for each learning station, was made possible by Comcast NBCUniversal and their generous contribution towards the program. The Tech Coaching Center program has also been developed through a sub-grant from Comcast NBCUniversal.