[Missouri-l] FW: [leadership] HELP DESK CELEBRATES 3RD ANNIVERSARY BEGINS UTILIZATION OF JAWS TANDEM

[Denny Huff]

						 			IMMEDIATE RELEASE
						 		       	April 1, 2009


Contact:
	Dominic Calabrese
	312/997-3662
dominic.calabrese at chicagolighthouse.org

Chicago Lighthouse Help Desk Marks Third Anniversary with utilization of JAWS Tandem 

CHICAGO – Celebrating its third anniversary of assisting people who are blind all over the world with their computer problems, The Chicago Lighthouse’s Adaptive Technology Desk will begin utilizing JAWS Tandem to better serve its customers.

Since the Help Desk was established in April, 2006 with a grant from The Boeing Company, it has handled nearly 2,400 requests for assistance from individuals in 49 states plus Canada, China, South Africa and New Zealand.  

Operating the Desk is Ray Campbell, who is totally blind himself and a former software engineer for Lucent Technologies.

“I’ve done everything from installing software, to helping people access financial information on-line, to showing people how to communicate with their matches at Eharmony.com, to helping people access Major League Baseball Game Day Audio, and much more,” Campbell smiles. “And as we approach our fourth year, I’ve got a new tool in my arsenal.”

That new tool is JAWS Tandem.  Campbell explains that for individuals using Version 10 of Freedom Scientific’s ® JAWS Screen Reading software, he can utilize JAWS Tandem to remotely access their computer and either fix problems or help them understand how to do something.  

“I can either install software or fix whatever the client’s problem is, or, I can show them how to do what they need to do,” Campbell says.  “I have callers who contact me now and say, let’s get on [JAWS] Tandem and fix this problem.”  “It’s taken a hand that was partially behind my back and let me use it again,” he laughs.

Campbell hastens to add that a caller doesn’t have to be a JAWS 10 user to call the Help Desk.  “If I need to, I’ll listen to your screen reader and talk you through what needs to be done,” he points out.  
Anyone who is blind or visually impaired, or who works with this population wishing to receive assistance from the Help Desk can call 888-TCL(825)-0080 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. central time.  Or, they may send e-mail to ray.campbell at chicagolighthouse.org or reach the help desk via AOL Instant Messenger using I.D. tclhelp.

The Chicago Lighthouse is one of the nation’s most comprehensive social service agencies.  Housed under its roof are the nation’s oldest low vision clinic; one of the few remaining clock manufacturing facilities in the U.S.; a nationally acclaimed school for children who are blind with multi-disabilities; a VA program serving veterans in all 50 states; and a radio station.