Nine new grants will help projects across the United States make better use of technology in employment training and placement for young people with disabilities. In November 2002, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation announced $496,000 in national "Starfish" grants for nine projects as part of their commitment to helping young people with disabilities to use technology to maximize their potential and fully participate in society. An additional $100,000 will be given in matching grants and matching gifts to organizations selected by Mitsubishi Electric US employees in the communities where they live and work.

Grants Support Both Old, New Projects

One new grant supports Project Search, which incorporates personal digital assistants in training young people with cognitive disabilities for competitive employment. Another new grant, Tech Mentoring Coast to Coast, funds a joint electronic mentoring project between two nonprofits that will prepare young people with disabilities for careers in the information technology field.

A number of the grants continue support for ongoing projects that apply emerging technologies to the needs of young people with disabilities. One grant will support the expansion of a project at Gallaudet University that is piloting the extensive use of visual technologies in teaching deaf students. Another provides a third year of funding for the Pitt Crew Robot Project conducted by the Tech-Link Program in Pittsburgh, which helps high school students with disabilities to develop high-level design and engineering skills.

Several grants-including the Starfish Troops project of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital and the Congressional Internship Program of the American Association of People with Disabilities-promote individual achievement and leadership development among youth with disabilities.

Making a Difference with Technology

"Technology is an important tool for everyone," says Rayna Aylward, executive director of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation. "But for young people with disabilities, it can be a lifeline. We are proud to support these outstanding organizations in their efforts to extend that lifeline to youth across the country."

For more information, please visit the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation website at http://www.meaf.org

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