Mission statement: HandyCapable Network promotes self-sufficiency and enriches the lives of people with disabilities or people who are otherwise socially or economically challenged by providing training in and access to computer technology.
HandyCapable Network (HCN)was started as a project of Arc of North Carolina Housing Development Services. The project started by establishing Computer Learning Centers (CLCs) for developmentally disabled adults. Five years later, HCN and local partner agencies, have established 22 centers in central North Carolina that serve adults with a broad spectrum of disabilities. Some centers are in after school programs and senior living centers. In 2006, HCN incorporated as a non profit, and received 501 c 3 status from the IRS.
The primary focus now is refurbishing donated computers in Greensboro, NC and making them available to people who have been excluded from computer usage. As a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, adult students with disabilities refurbish the computers that are used by the centers, and other non-profit organizations. Computers are made available to clients of non-profit partners of HCN, and to nonprofit organizations themselves for computer centers or office needs. In 2007, 373 computers were distributed,to low income families or people with disabilities through the 22 agencies or schools with which we have partnered.
In 2008-09, a 100 unit apartment complex, with nearly all residents who are immigrants and refugees, HCN and it's partner Phoenix Networks will install a local wireless network with Internet access to all units at a low fee. HCN will provide computers and training for the project.
In addition, HCN provides computers and technical support for nonprofits for their administrative computers. We work together with NetCorps who will help an organization plan their technology needs. HCN supplies and sets up computers and office networking.