Digital hubs a ‘modernization’ of Community Living services

An upgrade for Community Living Guelph-Wellington.

Four digital hubs have been set up at its Royal Road building, so its clients with disabilities can use technology they may otherwise not have access to.

The hubs are being funded by an Ontario Trillium grant of $142,000.

“I think it’s really another step forward to help the people we support connect with their communities,” said Cindy Kinnon, executive director for Community Living Guelph-Wellington.

“They’re not always able to do that in the homes where they live, or they don’t have the technology themselves.”

The accessible booths are equipped with a kiosk-style computer system, with audio and video conferencing technology, enhanced lighting and a large screen.

Clients will be able to get online, make video calls, apply for jobs and take part in virtual activities.

The rooms also have a docking system, so if someone wants to use the room for privacy and have their own device, they can do so.

Kinnon said it’s a modernizing of what Community Living has for services, adding much of its work ended up online through the pandemic.

She said it’s not lost on them that virtual and in-person support is the future, so doing the work to add these hubs was a necessity.

“Through the pandemic, they learned there’s lots of activities out there on the Internet that they can participate in,” Kinnon said. “Coming here with really good sound and video and privacy, they can participate in achieving their own goals as well.”

Wednesday served as more of a soft launch of the digital hubs.

Kinnon said the booths will be tested, and hope to have a registration system up and running for clients soon.