One of the highlights of 2022 was that Adelante DiverseIT was nationally recognized for their innovation in support of people with disabilities and seniors, and the ways they are using innovation to help the community. In May, representatives from Adelante accepted the Innovation Award from SourceAmerica, a national organization that supports employment for people with disabilities, at their XForce conference in Dallas. Watch the video from the conference!
Pivoting through a Pandemic: Disability Support
Since the pandemic began, businesses have had to pivot and adjust constantly. Similarly, DiverseIT changed the way they worked, while still fulfilling their goals. Our remote training people with disabilities is a great example.
People with disabilities working on tech certifications such as Google IT and A+ began to work with us online. Like so many other meetings, we met via Zoom. Despite these challenges, DiverseIT graduated their first cohort of IT professionals with disabilities in 2021. Furthermore, Adelante helped the majority of them to find jobs in the community.
Innovation to Help Seniors & High Schoolers
We also partnered with a local public charter school, Tech Leadership High School (TLHS), providing valuable IT training. Several of the students have disabling conditions. Those students also received support through the NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The elders in our city were often struggling to connect during 2020 and 2021. In response, DiverseIT created helpful IT videos for seniors. A variety of computer classes followed. The classes were initially held virtually, using meeting software. Later, they transitioned to local senior centers. Each of these efforts was done in partnership with the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs.
This Innovation Award was Possible thanks to our Supporters across the community and throughout Adelante
Innovation has been an important part of Adelante since the organization was founded over 44 years ago, and DiverseIT is one of its newest programs. There are more than 575 nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica network that train, employ and place people with disabilities in the workforce. Knowing that, Adelante was incredibly honored to be recognized among so many amazing and innovative organizations.
Adelante greatly appreciates our community partners that make the work of DiverseIT possible. They include the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs, New Mexico Technology Assistance Program, Comcast, AT&T, Wells Fargo, Bank of the West, NM Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Transitions Program, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Intel New Mexico, Verizon, and all of our individual donors. Each is definitely part of DiverseIT winning this innovation award.
Adelante is happy that DiverseIT continues to do impactful work and has more in store for 2023.
