> The WWW site noted below might be of interest.
>
> www.ebuddies.org
>
> Though it is not a 'generic' chat site, its purpose is to promote relationships between people with and
> without intellectual disability. For someone looking for a 'welcoming' (and safe) place to start chatting
> on the WWW, it could be worth a try.
>
>
> Frequently Asked Questions
>
> 1. What is e-Buddies?
> e-Buddies creates e-mail friendships between people with and without mental retardation.
>
> 2. Is e-Buddies a nonprofit organization?
> e-Buddies is part of the nonprofit organization Best Buddies. The mission of Best Buddies is to
> enhance the lives of people with mental retardation by providing opportunitites for one-to-one
> friendships and integrated employment. Find out more about Best Buddies by clicking here.
>
> 3. What do e-Buddies do?
> e-Buddies participants agree to e-mail each other once a week for one year. Of course, many of
> our participants enjoy the e-mail relationship so much, they e-mail each other every day!
>
> 4. How soon will I have an e-Buddy?
> Once you have completed both parts of the e-Buddies application, we have to process your
> application. Usually, it takes between one and four weeks to conduct the necessary background
> and reference checks. Once we have approved your application, we can match you with an
> e-Buddy. If you do not have a developmental disability, especially if you are female, you may want
> to keep in mind that we do have a waiting list of several months. If you have a developmental
> disability, we can typically have you matched up within a month.
>
> 5. I have already signed up for an e-Buddy. How else can I help?
> There are a number of ways that you can help us build a community of inclusion for people with
> mental retardation on the Internet.
>
> • If you know someone with mental retardation that has regular access to e-mail, help sign him or
> her up for e-Buddies. We are always looking for more participants, especially people with mental
> retardation.
>
> • If you have time and know someone that is unfamiliar with computers or may need help using
> e-mail for any reason, please help them. It doesn't take much time, but it makes a world of
> difference.
>
> • If you have an old computer you are going to get rid of, please think of us. We distribute donated
> computers to participants with mental retardation that do not have regular access to the Internet
> but would like to become an e-Buddy. While it is not necessary to have state-of-the-art
> computers to be an e-Buddy, we do request that donated computers have a clock speed of 66
> MHz or greater, be Windows 95 capable, and have a modem.
>
> 6. Can I have more than one e-Buddy?
> Typically, e-Buddies pairs one person with mental retardation in an e-mail friendship with a
> volunteer who does not have mental retardation. In special cases, we may pair people in more
> than one relationship.
>
> 7. How old do I need to be to join e-Buddies?
> You must be at least 10 years old to participate.
>
> 8. Do I need my parent's permission to participate?
> If you are under age 18, you do need to have your parent's permission to join e-Buddies. If you
> are over the age of 18, have a developmental disability, and a legal guardian, you need your
> guardian's permission to join e-Buddies. The sign-up form will guide you through the process of
> getting your parent or guardian's permission.
>
> 9. Does e-Buddies cost anything?
> e-Buddies is free for students. e-Buddies is free for people with mental retardation. Because we
> are a nonprofit organization, we do charge volunteers who are not students a one-time $50 fee.
> This fee helps cover the costs of checking references and processing applications.
>
> 10. Is it safe to participate in e-Buddies?
> Best Buddies is committed to doing all we can to make e-Buddies a fun, fulfilling, and safe
> experience. This is why we screen all applicants and require parental permission for those under
> 18. We also require all participants to agree to a code of conduct that prohibits the exchange of
> addresses and telephone numbers, the transmittal of pornographic information, and the
> transmittal of any attachments. In-person meetings are also prohibited, unless arranged by a
> Best Buddies staff member.
>
> 11. Who has access to the information I provide on the e-Buddies application?
> Best Buddies considers all information provided on the e-Buddies application highly confidential.
> We keep this information on a secure server. Only authorized Best Buddies staff members can
> access your information. Best Buddies does not sell or trade this information with anyone.
>
>
>
Keith R. McVilly
B.A.., Grad. Dip. Psych., M. Psych. (Clinical)
MAPS & Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists
University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine
Centre for Developmental Disability Studies
PO Box 6 RYDE 1680
New South Wales
Australia
Tel. 61-(0)2 - 8878 0500
Fac. 61-(0)2 - 9807 7053
Mob. 61-0419 590 857
E-mail [log in to unmask]
________________End of message______________________
Archives and tools for the Disability-Research Discussion List
are now located at:
www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html
You can JOIN or LEAVE the list from this web page.
|
