What we do:

The North Texas PC Users Group, Inc. (NTPCUG), a 501(c)3 organization, refurbishes computers for the blind and visually impaired. This project is publicized on NTPCUG’s website, www.ntpcug.org , and periodically, there are also newspaper articles.

In February 2002 when the Texas Center Physically Impaired, (TCPI), had a backlog of 90 orders, NTPCUG was asked by Robert “Bob” Langford, Ph.D., to provide volunteers to help refurbish computers for the blind and the visually impaired. Bob is the founder and President of TCPI and a long-time NTPCUG member. TCPI specializes in providing refurbished computers to the blind and visually impaired.

TCPI , www.handicapability.org , is also a 501(c)3 organization that benefits the blind and visually impaired. TCPI advertises and takes orders for refurbished computers, subject to a $100 donation for supplies and shipping.

As a teenager, Robert was involved in an accident, which left him blind. The incident, says Langford, now 74, changed the course of his life, but not in the way most people would expect. Robert was the first blind student to graduate from his high school, and his university. He went on to earn his Ph.D., taking night classes while teaching blind students during the day. For many years Robert served as executive director of a rehabilitation center, before joining the Texas Commission or the Blind.

NTPCUG approved TCPI’s request for assistance and established the NTPCUG Computer Refurbishing Project. TCPI advertises this service, takes the orders and then the NTPCUG Refurbishing Project team takes over to complete the order for the recipient.

How we do it: 

Executive Summary:

Listed below is an overview of the NTPCUG Computer Refurbishing Project process.

• NTPCUG obtains the computers,
• provides the 20+ NTPCUG volunteers,
• refurbishes the computers,
• loads the software,
• tests the computer, and then
• ships the computers to the recipients.

NTPCUG negotiated an agreement with the King of Glory Lutheran Church to use a large basement room at the church for this project. This room includes ample storage space and it is used as a shop with 12 workstations, which are available for NTPCUG volunteers. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00 – 5:00 PM are scheduled for the NTPCUG volunteers to work on this project at the church. When demand is heavy, sometimes volunteers work all day on a Saturday. As of August 25, 2006 , a total of 2,442 computers have been refurbished and shipped. The NTPCUG Refurbishing project is responsible for the shipment of 1,992 of these computers from February 2002 –August 2006. Note: From 1995 – 2001, TCPI had shipped 450 refurbished computers.

Since NTPCUG initiated this refurbishing project with TCPI, the annual distribution of refurbished computers has increased 628% from 64 to 402 computers a year.

How We Do It  –  Detailed Process:

• TCPI places ads in the following magazines:

• Playback
• American Council of the Blind (Braille Forum)
• National Federation of the Blind (Monitor)
• Newsline
• Dialogue for the Blind

• TCPI (Robert “Bob” Langford) receives a phone call from a prospective recipient, who expresses an interest in getting a computer.

• Bob sends 6 audio cassettes and an order form. The 6 audio cassettes contain a description of the learning process and the steps the recipient needs to take to become proficient in the use of the computer. In addition, TCPI also explains the type of software which is provided with the computer.

• If the recipient decides to order the computer, then TCPI receives the order form and a check for $100.

• Bob enters the order information into his computer and emails the order information to the NTPCUG computer refurbishing co-coordinators, Gil Brand and Jesse Hastcoat .

• Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, the first thing that Gil or Jesse does is to check to see how many new orders have been received that need to be processed.

• NTPCUG prints out the shipping labels including the return address labels.

• Shipping labels are put into a binder, so that they can be affixed once the computer is boxed up and ready to be shipped.

• The volunteer then uses the PC Configuration Tasks documentation to start refurbishing a computer and to complete the software installation process using Norton’s Ghost software (version 6.5) image file. The table below identifies the software, which is installed on each computer and is part of the Ghost image file.

The table below identifies the software, which is included in the Ghost image and installed on each computer prior to shipment. The Zone Alarm firewall can not be installed because this freeware software requires a registration process. As a result, instructions are included for downloading and installing this software.

• ·Part of the PC Configuration Tasks documentation includes testing by the volunteer who refurbished the computer.
• ·When the volunteer completes the refurbish, software installation and testing process, then one of the Refurbishing project co-coordinators (Gil Brand or Jesse Hastcoat) makes a final test of the system. The final test includes:
  
  • Verifying that the Network ID was entered
    
  • Testing audio by playing a music CD concurrently with running Windows Eyes.
    
  • Test Juno account to make sure that it connects to the internet
    
• The volunteer who built the machine also boxes it up for shipment.
  
  • Boxes and packing materials are purchased from a local box company and supplies are delivered directly to King of Glory Church on an as needed basis.
    
  • Computers are shipped in two boxes, which are 20 x 20 x 20 and 24 x 20 x 12. One box is for the monitor and the other is for the desktop or tower CPU. 
    
  • All of the necessary power cords and a modem phone cord are included.
    
  • A hard copy of the PC Setup Instructions document is also included with the computer. On the audio tapes, the prospective recipient is advised that they will need to find a sighted tech person to assist with assembling the computer.
    
• If the recipient has partial sight, then they are shipped a 17” monitor; otherwise a 14” – 15” monitor is shipped.
  
• NTPCUG volunteer affixes shipping labels to both boxes including return address shipping label. The return address is Bob Langford’s address.
  
• NTPCUG volunteer also affixes a label, which says “Free Material for the Blind”.
  
• ·The United States Postal Service permits domestic freight packages to the blind to be shipped as FREE MATTER.
  
• All boxes are then taken to the nearest post office for shipment.

How does NTPCUG obtain its refurbishing project volunteers?

• This community service project is promoted on the NTPCUG website and at our meetings.
  
• Some of our member volunteers have built many computers and they volunteer as a part of their civic responsibility to the community.
  
• Some members volunteer to learn more about building computers and to network with the other volunteers.
  
• Another reason that NTPCUG has had ample volunteers is probably because the King of Glory work space is a high-quality and well organized workshop. Also, the end result is very rewarding for the volunteers.

• But probably the biggest reason is the dedication and commitment that the project leaders (Gil Brand, John Austin, and Jesse Hastcoat) have exhibited pertaining to this project. Gil is the # 1 evangelist for this project, who never misses an opportunity to talk about this project and its needs.

How does NTPCUG obtain computer donations?

• Part of the PC Configuration Tasks documentation includes testing by the volunteer, who refurbished the computer.

• When the volunteer completes the refurbish, software install and testing process, then either one of the Refurbishing project co-coordinators (Gil Brand or Jesse Hastcoat) makes a final test of the system. The final test includes:

• Verifying that the Network ID was entered

• Testing audio by playing a music CD concurrently with running Windows Eyes.

• Test Juno account to make sure that it connects to the internet

• The volunteer who built the machine also boxes it up for shipment.

• Boxes and packing materials are purchased locally and supplies are shipped directly to King of Glory Church as needed.

• Computers are shipped in two boxes, which are 20 x 20 x 20 and 24 x 20 x 12. One box is for the monitor and the other is for the desktop or tower CPU.

• All of the necessary power cords and a modem phone cord are included.

• A hard copy of the PC Setup Instructions document is also included with the computer. On the audio tapes, the prospective recipient is advised that they will need to find a sighted tech person to assist with assembling the computer.

• If the recipient has partial sight, then they are shipped a 17” monitor; otherwise a 14” – 15” monitor is shipped.

• NTPCUG volunteer affixes shipping labels to both boxes including return address shipping label. The return address is Bob Langford ’s address.

• NTPCUG volunteer also affixes a label, which says “Free Material for the Blind”.

• The United States Postal Service permits domestic freight packages to the blind to be shipped as FREE MATTER.

• All boxes are then taken to the nearest post office for shipment.

How does NTPCUG obtain computer donations?

NTPCUG Refurbishing Project team members give out business cards which request computer donations. These cards are given out at trade shows, conferences, seminars, and corporate offices. During an annual physical, one enterprising volunteer asked his doctor about the “old” computer he was using, which resulted in a 100 computers donation, as the doctor’s affiliate offices across North Texas upgraded!

• Solicit individuals and corporations to donate their cast off computers for refurbishing. This means that every time that Gil Brand or any of the other team members are in the presence of any IT corporate manager, they talk about the work that NTPCUG and TCPI are doing and how beneficial it would be if they donated their outdated computers for this project.
  
  The public response has been very gratifying.

• There is no minimum donation standard because even if NTPCUG can not refurbish it, it can still strip the computer for spare parts, such as memory, sound card, floppy disk drive, keyboard, mouse, or CD-ROM.

• Depending on donations, NTPCUG ships Pentium II or Pentium III (300, 500 & 650) computers. This is the minimum configuration, that is shipped:

• Pentium II - 266
• 64 MB RAM
• 2 GB hard drive
• CD – Rom
• Sound Card
• Speakers
• Modem
• Keyboard & mouse

• However, sometimes it is necessary to purchase modems, sound cards or speakers but typically these individual items can be purchased for $ 10 or less.

From February 2002 through August 25, 2006 , this has resulted in NTPCUG shipping 1,542 computers to blind clients in the United States , Romania , Brazil , Guatemala , and Sierra Leone . Prior to NTPCUG’s involvement, TCPI had shipped 450 computers from 1995 – 2001.