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
For information to schedule please email info@donkainc.org
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
Save the Date: Race for Abilities, October 16, 2022
Save the Date: Race for Abilities, October 16, 2022 On Sunday, October 16, 2022, Donka will hold its 6th Annual Race for Abilities 5K Run/Walk fundraiser in Naperville. Started in 2017, this fundraiser connects Donka to the community and...
read more
Ann Byrne: Donka Instructor and AT Pioneer
Ann Byrne: Donka Instructor and AT Pioneer If anyone can attest to the evolution of assistive technology over the past 35 years, it’s Ann Byrne, Donka’s blind services instructor. Ann was born blind and has always been at the forefront of using...
read moreThen & Now: 35 Years of Assistive Technology at Donka
Then & Now: 35 Years of Assistive Technology at Donka Donka is celebrating 35 years of service to the community in 2022 and in looking back at our work, we realized just how far assistive technology has come during that time. Let’s take a...
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.
Connect with us!
Contact Information:
Donka, Inc.
400 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630.665.8169
Email: info@donkainc.org
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
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