Old Computers Given New Purpose By Loan Program

A computer doesn’t have to be the latest and the greatest to improve someone’s life.

That’s why Dorothy Haenle is a full-time volunteer, devoting her expertise to a computer loan program at the Easter Seals Society office in Spokane.

The retired occupational therapist scavenges for donated equipment and matches it with disabled people.

“She’s amazing,” says Marsha Swenson, whose daughter benefits from the program. “She watches the paper for people selling computers.” Swenson serves on a committee that reviews applications.

“People just would never believe the demand that’s out there,” she says.

Her daughter, 9-year-old Andrea, has cerebral palsy. Andrea has limited movement and operates a computer by nudging a switch placed beside her head.

As of last week, 82 computers were loaned out, eight of those to people in Idaho. Eleven people were on a waiting list.

Computer stores help spread the word that Easter Seals is a good place to donate used equipment. Schools that are upgrading computers often donate the older ones.

Staff member Glen LeDuc, an information and technology specialist, joins Haenle and other volunteers in revamping computers. That can include installing special software, keyboards, mouses or switches.

What the loan program needs most are color Macintosh computers and IBM-compatible machines that operate Windows.

The computers are loaned instead of given away for two reasons.

“That way, we get the equipment back when it’s no longer needed,” says LeDuc. “And we take care of the maintenance and upgrades.”

Haenle’s interest in computers bloomed during her career with the Spokane School District. She remembers the student who got her interested in computers. He could not speak or use his hands.

“He says, ‘I thought I had to learn everything as I was told it, because I had no way of asking questions.”’

Computers let him ask questions. He just graduated from Eastern Washington University.

, DataTimes