Club Provides 6 Laptops for autistic Children

Through the District's 2023-24 District Matching Grant, Sunshine NY Rotary provided 6 laptops for use by special needs children to help their developmental growth. The laptops were provided to the Autism Society Habilitation Organization (ASHO), a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that provides assistance to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. ASHO works to create a safe space in the community for the South Asian and IDD/ASD population. The Organization has already served over 200 families scattered all over the state/city during the last couple of years. All of their programs are designed to keep the IDD community engaged and free from depression and anxiety. The children range in age from 7 to 15 years. A few of them are above 15, due to developmental situations. Unfortunately, they do not have enough laptops, which makes it difficult for the children with special needs to share. By making six laptops available, more children will be able to be trained and learn better.  
 
The total project cost was $4319 of which the Clin provided half.  The balance of the cost was provided through the District Matching Grant.
 
The Organization was asked what they needed most to help the children. They responded requesting at least 6 laptops that would be loaned out to the children, as needed. ASHO provided the requirements, requested quotes, monitored the delivery of the order and assigned the laptops for use by designated children.

The beneficiaries are children with autism and through use of the laptops they will have the opportunity to learn better and be on their way to integration with society. The children were falling behind due to the lack of learning facilities and this project will meet their learning needs for the next few years.

The laptops have an average service life of at least five years and are covered by full warranty for three years. The laptops will remain the owners of the laptops and reassign them to other children as necessary