Helping A Blind 911 Operator Keep Her Job

It may seem like common sense to some that a blind person would be a good 911 operator, but actually their are very few working in that field. It is really hard to convince the city that we can do the job, and with the creation of new software, it is becoming even harder. Diane Garret though has been a successful operator in Tulsa for 8 years thanks to her knowledge of braille and her assistive technology.

Diane is performing a needed service, but because of the way our vocational rehabilitation system works, the only way for her to keep her technology up to date is by committing to only use that technology at her job. Diane's current braille display isn't working as well as it needs to, but because she wants to use the display for work and personal use, she has to come up with the money on her own to replace it. Thankfully, a non-profit in Iowa is stepping up to help her.

If you are interested in helping Diane get her new display, please visit www.techiepaws.org, or mail a check to TechiePaws, c/o Jesse O. Bolinger, 1005 N. Division St., Creston, IA 50801

I wish that all braille readers could afford their own assistive technology, but until the price comes down below the price of a used car, that just isn't possible.