PathPoint

Technology that Empowers

By Erica Rascón on Feb 11, 2016 in Giving, People

California-based nonprofit PathPoint specializes in building vital communities that foster independence, dignity and work for all residents. PathPoint equips individuals with disabilities or disadvantages with the tools needed to achieve self-sufficiency and pride. Employment, community access, residential and behavioral health services are just a few routes through which PathPoint fulfills its mission. One of the organization’s main areas of expansion is making technology more accessible for all.

Participants in PathPoint’s South Santa Barbara County Community Access Program (CAP) work on goals in relation to socialization, communication, physical development, and many other independence enhancing areas. Since 2006, funding received from Yardi Systems has provided PathPoint’s programs with valuable tools that assist participants in achieving their goals.

Currently PathPoint is working towards creating a comprehensive curriculum surrounding Assistive Technology. Lauren Alvarado, Foundation and Community Relations Specialist at PathPoint, explains the new technology program saying:

“We are so fortunate to have knowledgeable, dedicated staff that are really passionate about using Assistive Technology to enhance the lives of the individuals we support. Our South Santa Barbara location is piloting and implementing a training program for staff, teaching them how to use the devices and creating individualized plans for each participant to help them reach their personal goals.”

The devices used vary by the need of each participant. Stephanie Boumediene, Vice President of Development at PathPoint, has witnessed how seemingly simply devices can make a huge impact on the community.

“Many of our clients are non-verbal” says Boumediene. “The equipment not only gives them the ability to communicate with their families and access the Internet, it ultimately opens the possibility to being an active member of the broader community. It also allows the community to meet them as well.”

This project within the Community Access Program opens numerous doors of opportunity through technology. In addition to communicating with family, friends, and community members, program participants will be better able to navigate the modern world using technology as a tool. The devices and apps that so many of us take for granted can now be a part of their lives as well.

Elizabeth, a CAP participant comes to PathPoint in order to work on a variety of skills, including communication, socialization with peers, and on-going physical and sensory-motor development. Elizabeth’s father lives on the East Coast and is only able to see her in person a few times a year. With support from CAP staff and specialized switches purchased through Yardi funds, Elizabeth is able to keep in touch with her father and many other family members by using the computer and iPad.

Alvarado continues, “Yardi has been instrumental in providing funding for this program. We look forward to eventually implementing the Assistive Technology program organization-wide. It is really exciting! The tools that we were able to purchase from the grant funds from Yardi, allow us to do amazing things for our program participants. Assistive Technology gives these individuals more independence and helps increase their communication. This is a new frontier and the possibilities are really endless.”

For over 50 years, PathPoint has been a leading nonprofit in California and their longevity has allowed them expand their reach to individuals in: Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County & Kern County. PathPoint empowers individuals with disabilities to be valued members of the community.

Donate today to join Yardi in supporting employment, dignity, and education for this deserving population.