MANITOBA POSSIBLE
OVERCOMING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES Online access is essential to Manitoba Possible clients BY SHERRY KANIUGA
“This brought light into a dark time in our lives.” T his heartfelt sentiment was part of a message sent to Manitoba Possible by the family of a client who received a timely gift earlier this year — a brand-new iPad. The recipient was one of 134 clients to benefit from the Tech-Connect initiative, which Manitoba Possible — formerly the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities — launched in the fall. The program connects Manitobans with disabilities to technology and care services, giving them the devices, training and financial support they need to communicate with family and other supports. Many home-care, elder support and respite workers were self- isolating or choosing not to make home visits during the pandemic, which made it more difficult for clients to connect with them. Manitoba Possible’s new digital platform for self-managed care services, envoyy, helps make these connections, but many clients didn’t have online access. “When the pandemic hit, a lot of our clients were struggling to meet services that had switched to an online model. They needed to be connected to their workers, and also to doctors who were doing appointments online by video instead of in person. Without online access, they had to do this by phone, but if you have a hearing loss, for instance, that can be exceptionally difficult,” explains Adam Cropp, a Children’s Service Coordinator with Manitoba Possible who was involved in facilitating the program and providing training. “Manitoba Possible is all about trying to eliminate barriers for those with disabilities, so to see a barrier that was so prominent during the pandemic really struck us as something we felt we needed to address as best we could,” he adds. “The need was very present and very obvious to us.” When Tech-Connect launched, applications came pouring in. While most participating families received tablets or laptops, Manitoba Possible also gifted several of them with personal protective equipment like face masks and gloves, gift cards that could be used online for grocery delivery services, and assistance
connecting to envoyy. The $102,000 initiative was funded by the United Way of Brandon & District, United Way Winnipeg and the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund. Training was provided by Cropp and other Manitoba Possible staff, who pre-loaded the devices with apps like Zoom, Skype and, of course, envoyy. “Tech-Connect was designed to help families that have been disconnected through the pandemic, so we wanted to make sure they had the basic tools they needed to reconnect with family, friends, doctors and ourselves, and to help foster their independence,” Cropp says. Some of the tablets were granted to children who could also use them at school, for programs such as speech-language therapy. “The project has made a big difference for a lot of families and a lot of individuals, so it was a success in our eyes,” Cropp says. Just ask that family who called the project a light in a dark time. They wrapped up their message of gratitude by saying, “Between the pandemic, financial strains, and trying to keep the kids focused, it’s been hard — but the iPad has given us the chance to stay connected to family and for medical appointments.” ■
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SPRING 2021
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