DONKA INCORPORATED

HISTORY
Donka was founded in 1987 by Don Van Haveren, a retired business executive, who was volunteering at the DuPage Care Center (DPCC) in Wheaton, Illinois. Many of the residents with whom Don worked were disabled and often isolated by their conditions. Don was certain that he could help them gain skills for increased independence by teaching them to access a computer with assistive technology, which was just emerging at that time. To support his theory, the DPCC provided a small office space where Don could train one student at a time. It was a great success and the DPCC now provides Donka with free space for 20 workstations, Donka's instructors, and administrative staff.

Today, Donka maintains the computer lab at the DPCC, a work unit at the Illinois workNet offices in North Aurora, and offices spaces at Northern Illinois University-Naperville. We now offer a variety of program and services that help people with disabilities gain digital skills for employment, continued education, communications, and exploration. In 2019, Donka was approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) as a private vocational school, allowing us to provide graduates with a "Certificate of Completion" that is recognized by other IBHE approved institutions. In 2020, Donka, along with eight (8) community agencies serving people with disabilities - founded the DuPage Kane County Disability Resource Committee that is focused on collaborations and events to empower people with disabilities to gain employment and connect with education/training opportunities. In September 2021, Donka added a job placement program to our services to connect graduates to local employers with whom we have developed working relationships.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Assistive technology (AT)—adaptive hardware or software—helps individuals with disabilities access and operate a computer independently. Donka offers five different training services that work together to help people with physical, visual, and low incidence learning disabilities gain skills to get jobs, go to school, or enrich their lives through social interaction. Donka’s services can take place in person or virtually and include:

1. Customized Computer Training - Donka’s core program offers students a customized Microsoft business curriculum and 1:1 instruction to prepare them for work or school; students are also assessed for the proper AT to operate a computer on their own; training averages 90 hours; upon graduation, students receive a Certificate of Completion endorsed by the Illinois Board of Higher Education; an alternate curriculum of 50 hours is used for social enrichment and appropriate for seniors.
2. Alternative-Skills Training - Donka works with high school/college students and working adults, focusing on specific skills to help them independently complete course work or job/daily living activities; customized training averages between 20-70 hours.
3. Loaner Program - Students can borrow AT (software and/or hardware) during and after training; this service is free and helps students practice their skills until they are able to purchase their own computers or AT.
4. Job Placement Program - New in September 2021, Donka’s graduates can develop their skills for employment by working with our job placement specialist who has developed relationships with area employers that are ready and able to hire people with disabilities; graduates attending college or vocational training also benefit from this service.
5. Education and Outreach Program - Through workshops and disability fairs, Donka provides training and engagement to raise awareness within the professional education and rehabilitation communities about the benefits of using AT for their students and clients; Donka also trains college students majoring in education and rehabilitation services.