Thanks to a local company, clients at Davenport's Handicapped Development Center will soon enjoy new computers. Tomorrow, representatives from Republic Companies will help cut a ribbon to open the J. S. Kimmel Technology and Training Center.
Carol Foster, from the Handicapped Development Center, says the tech center is named after Kimmel, one of the founders of the Republic Companies. In 1957, he created a sheltered workshop, where disabled people could work and get paid while learning how to be good employees.
Last year as part of Republic's 100th anniversary, company officials and employees raised $40,000 to update the development center's computer room. It now features 16 new computers with extra large keyboards, touchscreens, and height adjustable desks.
Foster says the center recently switched to an electronic documentation system. So the staff will also use the new tech center. And new training sessions will be added for clients.
A I.T. employee will work in the Kimmel Technology and Training Center to help anyone who needs it.
The Handicapped Development Center serves about 370 people. The ribbon-cutting will be held at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.
