The Sherbrooke Community Centre received a donation from the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Meewasin Monday for funds for a new piece of technology to help its residents.
The cheque of $5,600 will go towards an assistive technology device called “My Gaze.” The product was created for people with intellectual and physical disabilities to allow them to use the computer by simply looking at a screen.
“This is just a wonderful system, because it allows those that are trapped in failing bodies to actually communicate with the outside world,” rotary club president Rob Jaspar said.
“The people, whose needs that they serve, tend to be the forgotten members of our community.”
READ MORE: New Saskatoon group home supports 4 experiencing intellectual disabilities
The Sherbrooke Community Centre is home to 263 people with special needs. For many, using a computer is difficult.
“When people come in here with various degrees of disabilities, they can’t access the outside world,” recreation coordinator Carrie Hart said.
“They can’t check their emails, they can’t have any contact, and having this type of computer equipment will allow them for that.”
It works when the user’s eyes look at control keys and cells displayed on a screen, acting as a mouse. It also has the ability to generate speech; a feature that can help those who cannot speak.
READ MORE: Blind Saskatoon dad says disability has nothing to do with parenting
The money donated will go towards buying two My Gaze web cameras and software. The hope is that residents will be able to install it to a tablet, so they can use the technology wherever they want.
“They are going to be in heaven,” Hart added. “They’ll be able to experience life just like you or I.”
The equipment is expected to arrive in the New Year.