Our Distance Computer Comfort program offers free online computer, tablet, and smartphone tutoring. Last year, we supported nearly 100 people across nine provinces and territories in building their practical computer skills. Participants worked one-on-one with volunteers to improve confidence with everyday technology, including email, documents, and online services.

Thanks to the support of volunteers, the program delivered more than 1,200 hours of tutoring and 280 hours of remote technical support last year.

And the outcomes speak for themselves. Not only do participants increase their independence, access to resources, and connections with family and friends, but 82 of them enhanced their employability, and 19 of them went on to gain employment or become volunteers themselves.

Through Distance Computer Comfort, Zainab received computer tutoring focused on improving her typing accuracy and speed, and building confidence using Microsoft Excel. She practiced working with spreadsheets, entering and organizing data, and developing computer skills that supported her job search and workplace readiness. After completing the program, she joined Creative Employment Options and landed a few different part-time positions that fit her needs while she heads back to school.

For Stan, the tutoring he received on the voice dictation software, Dragon, is allowing him to work on his autobiography. When Stan was 22, he was in a house fire that caused severe burns on both hands, leaving him with limited use of his fingers. Dragon allows him to use dictation to write text instead of needing to type. The training helped him use Dragon more independently and continue working towards his goal of writing his life story.

Melanie, who has an inborn muscle disorder, which affects her mobility as well as her vision, estimates she saves up to three hours a day on many of the computer-driven tasks thanks to the skills she learned through Distance Computer Comfort. She credits that time saved with allowing her to pursue the work she needed to advance from contract work to a full-time role as a professor. “It really did make an immeasurable impact on my life,” she shares.

Brett is using his new skills to support him in his daily life and advocacy. Brett, aka The Blind Kid, lost 98 percent of his vision at the age of 16 and has since become a recognized figure in the skateboarding community. Through Distance Computer Comfort, Brett received training support and technical assistance with the screen reading software, JAWS, helping him access information more independently and support his advocacy work online.

Do you know someone who could benefit from Distance Computer Comfort? Visit our website to learn more about the program.