CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE OFFERS TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Contact:
Dominic Calabrese
312/997-3662

Chicago Lighthouse Computer HelpDesk Assists Visually Impaired People in 42 States; Welcomes New Inquiries

 CHICAGO – Since its inception last April, the Chicago Lighthouse’s assistive technology support line has helped visually impaired people in 42 states and Canada successfully resolve many computer problems. And new inquiries are welcome.

Housed in the agency’s Adaptive Technology Center, the HelpDesk was made possible when The Lighthouse successfully matched a $41,000 grant from The Boeing Company.

“I’ve taken calls from Delta Junction, Alaska to Pilots Knob, Missouri; from Bird Island, Minnesota to Sasketoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; and from New York City to Los Angeles,” said Ray Campbell, a technician in the Lighthouse’s Adaptive Technology program, who operates the support line.

A former engineer with Lucent Technologies, Campbell notes that his assistance has been well received across the country.

“I’ve got one gentleman in South Carolina that calls me two to four times a week to ask for my help,” he says. One lady Campbell assisted in San Francisco wrote a letter thanking the Lighthouse for offering the HelpDesk service and praising him for his assistance.

In the past four months, Campbell estimates that the HelpDesk has fielded 350 calls, providing service to about 250 distinct clients.

“I’m always happy to respond to new callers experiencing difficulties with their computers,” he says.

According to Campbell, the HelpDesk represents a continuing effort on the part of the Lighthouse to be a one stop place where people who are blind or visually impaired can get whatever assistance they need.

“We’re excited to have an opportunity to make it easier for people with visual impairments to take advantage of the many technological advancements that are now more readily available,” adds William Bielawski, program manager for adaptive technology and office skills training.

Bielawski notes that any blind or visually impaired person could call the HelpDesk regardless of what product they’re using.

“It can be any hardware or software relating to assistive technology as long as the customer is visually impaired,” he says. “We also encourage calls from teachers and other individuals who work with people who are visually impaired as well as other interested parties.”

The program’s versatility can be reflected in the variety of questions handled by Campbell.

“I’ve assisted people with everything from installing Antivirus software to helping someone navigate the eharmony.com site using JAWS to assisting organizations with designing an accessible website to showing someone how to find Game Day Audio on the Major League Baseball website, www.mlb.com,” he explains.

Campbell points out that he can listen to what JAWS or WindowEyes is saying and walk the caller right through their problem. He adds that if he can’t resolve the issue over the phone, he will schedule an on-site visit as long as the customer resides in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Anyone with a question may call the HelpDesk’s toll free number, 888 TCL (825) 0080.

Celebrating its centennial this year, the Lighthouse is widely respected as a national leader in offering innovative programs to assist people who are blind or visually impaired.