Today’s Client Story is shared by Tara Rocha, BridgingApps’ Digital Learning Specialist.
Jacob Dizon (pronounced DYE-zun) is extremely bright and very good with computers. Right now, he’s enrolled in his school district’s 18+ program for transition to independence, and is actively pursuing internships and other work opportunities. His family became ESGH clients in the third year of our Comcast-sponsored digital-skills program, where he managed to earn every certificate offered—over 10 different certifications. We then challenged him to enroll in the IBM SkillsBuild program, which he was excited to start.
Jacob’s mom, Susan, has been great in encouraging him to find opportunities for his skills. She shared the following information with me.
Q: Jacob got his own laptop computer from BridgingApps’ client services. How’s that working out?
Susan: The computer is a personal treasure, something he’s happy and grateful to own. It gives him many opportunities to learn and explore. Since it also allows for parental monitoring, I can be confident it’s being used to gain something worthwhile, not only for play.
Q: Have there been any difficulties?
Susan: The Bluetooth headphones that came with the laptop don’t work reliably: they’re always getting disconnected. Fortunately, we already had a set of headphones at home, and Jacob’s been using those instead. We’re thinking of upgrading to bone-conduction headphones soon: they could help him hear his surroundings better while working.
Q: What’s the computer being used for right now?
Susan: Mainly for coding projects. As a next step, we’re looking for a free virtual-training option where Jacob can learn the Python and JavaScript languages.
Q: What other new skills has he learned?
Susan: He already knew Apple pretty well, but this has also given him experience with Microsoft. There are some things you can do in Microsoft but not in Apple, and the greater learning variety is good to have.
Q: How has all this changed Jacob’s everyday life?
Susan: He appreciates not having to borrow devices from others anymore. He’s naturally tech savvy, you know; he zoomed through all the lessons in SkillsBuild. Now he’s picking up new things even faster, because he can open his own computer to look things up.
By staying in touch with BridgingApps, I hope we can soon get full access to IBM SkillsBuild. There are additional skills I’d like to learn myself, especially related to technology setup and safety. I want to be able to personally install new monitoring tools.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like others to know about the value of technology?
Susan: Just how fortunate we are to have it. It’s helping guide Jacob to use his talents, and it can help others with similar disabilities use their abilities and grow their skills.