The Buckley Knights of Columbus Council 9637 sponsors an annual fundraising event, the Tootsie Program. Each year, 20 percent of the funds received go to Special Olympics and the other 80 percent is given to a cause that directly supports differently-abled children and adults in the local community.

Funds raised during the 2013 campaign event were recently presented to the White River School District Student Support Services, with the request that the funds be used for touchpad computers for nonverbal students. Research indicates that these devices, with appropriate instructional application, improve learning and communication skills in students with developmental disabilities.

Knights of Columbus council members were aware of the funding gap to support students with disabilities in public schools, but were taken aback when Hugh Flint, director of student support services, said the district provides services for more than 500 students who are affected by a variety of intellectual, cognitive and physical challenges.

Council representatives Bill Rumpza and James Devlet recently visited one of the classrooms at Elk Ridge Elementary where they saw the students who would benefit from this year’s donation. The enormous challenges, both physical and intellectual, these students strive to overcome, was far more than they had anticipated.

“The compassion, patience and innovation shown by the teachers in the room was a humbling experience,” Rumpza said.

Jessica Drummond demonstrated how they use the single iPad in the classroom to teach and communicate with students. In an effort at whole class inclusion, she simulated one of the iPad apps they use by arranging pictures on a cardboard “screen,” allowing students to use the pictures as a communication tool.

In accepting the gift from the Knights of Columbus, Flint noted, “All of us are exposed to and benefit from the vast array of personal electronic devices in our daily lives. For many individuals with disabilities, it is often more than just a convenience, but a growing necessity in both the educational environment and in their daily lives.”

Touchpad computers assist students in development of receptive and expressive language, assist with functional communication and increase social interaction and self-regulation. That is in addition to providing help with reading, math and other academic content.

Christi Ellenwood, Elk Ridge Elementary principal, was excited to receive the financial gift.

“Your donation will give a ‘voice’ to several of our students who use this technology to communicate with others around them,” she said.