Donka, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides computer
training and job readiness services to persons with physical,
visual and limited learning disabilities.
By learning to access and operate a computer with assistive technology,
our students become more independent and self-sufficient at work,
school, and home.
Serving 200 persons annually, Donka focuses its efforts on helping people
with disabilities improve the quality of their lives using computers and
assistive technology — either onsite or via our mobile technology services —
and provides train-the-trainer sessions as well.
“I named it Donka, which means ‘thank you’ in Dutch, in honor of the thanks I give for the opportunity to work with these extraordinary people who teach me so much each day.”
— Don Van Haveren, Donka Founder
"Assistive technology is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person with a disability."
Donka’s services and support allow our students to
- Connect with family and friends through social media
- Develop a routine or structure in schedule
- Communicate with others
- Access technology with AT
Our students successfully
- Return to work
- Take a college course
- Gain new skills
- Advocate for themselves
- Take pride in accomplishing new skills using technology
- Communicate through AT software
Graduate Testimonials
Get started Today! It is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Volunteer
People are our greatest resource. Consider giving your time to supervise our computer lab as a Computer Lab Monitor or work one-on-one with our students as a Training Assistant. Additional fundraising support is appreciated as well. Contact Donka for more information on current fundraising events and other opportunities to help support Donka.
Donate
As a non-profit organization, Donka, Inc. appreciates any donation — big or small. Your financial contribution will go directly to helping our students achieve their goals through technology.
Technology allows our students to achieve life goals we all take for granted, including getting a job, attending college or vocational school, communicating with friends and family and navigating our lives on our own.
Donka Digest Highlights
Volunteer Spotlight: Bill Paschke
Volunteer Spotlight: Bill Paschke Donka is grateful for Bill Paschke, pictured right, one of our newest volunteers. Bill works in our computer lab at the DuPage Care Center on Wednesdays. Even though our graduates know their way around a...
read more
Naperville Noon Lions Recognize Bill McManus
Naperville Noon Lions Recognize Bill McManus The Naperville Noon Lions recently made a $3,000 donation to Donka in memory of Bill McManus, pictured left, a club member from 2002-2018. Bill passed away on March 7, 2018. Bill was...
read more
AT Skills Build Self-Sufficiency Through Employment
AT Skills Build Self-Sufficiency Through Employment Having a disability, whether physical or visual, can be disheartening. It can dramatically change a person’s ability to go about everyday life independently. For Baltazar, pictured...
read moreWhy Donka?
Our students’ success is our priority!
Donka is the area leader in providing assistive technology computer training to persons with disabilities; since 1987, nearly 900 individuals have graduated from our training program.
Referrals from DRS will cover part of your training cost. More than 90% of our students are low income per the 2016 MFI.
Computer training is customized for each student; curricula are based on our students’ individual training goals and using the AT that will best allow them to successfully achieve their goals.
With Donka’s fundraising efforts, partial training costs are covered for all students.
Donka’s student-to-instructor ratios are 1-on-1, or 2-on-1; training is focused on the student’s individual needs and learning styles.
Instructors are Microsoft certified and collectively have over 50 years of experience in training individuals with disabilities in using assistive technology.
Donka, Inc. is approved to operate by the Private Business and Vocational Schools Division of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Donka, Inc. is not accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting body.
www.ibhe.org | Complaints: www.complaints.ibhe.org
Site by: Paul Gregory Media
We were approved by the IBHE in April of 2018 to offer a Basic Computer Course with AT – it is approved by the IBHE for Donka to operate as a Private Business Vocational school in Illinois.