Microsoft Supports Easter Seals with Major Software Grant

Easter Seals (National Easter Seal Society)
Tuesday, 15 September 1998

Grant Will Assist in Building Communications Infrastructure, Increasing Accessibility for Children and Adults with Disabilities

CHICAGO – Sept. 15, 1998 - Easter Seals today announced a $1 million software grant from Microsoft Corp. that will link its 105 affiliates and 430 program service sites. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft president, was at Easter Seals national headquarters in Chicago when President and CEO James E. Williams, Jr. announced the donation.

The Microsoft software will help Easter Seals to train and equip children with disabilities with computer assistive technology in their schools and also enable the organization to expand adult employment training programs. The donation includes 1,200 copies each of Microsoft ® Windows ® 98 and Office 97 and 1,250 client access licenses for Microsoft Small Business Server allowing Easter Seals to serve as a worldwide resource on disability issues and help its affiliates to communicate and share vital data promptly and inexpensively.

"With this software contribution, Microsoft is helping us further our mission in two important ways," Williams said. "First, the software will enable us to build a seamless internal network for Easter Seals, and second, it will significantly augment the computer assisted teaching programs which will ultimately mean greater independence for the people we serve. There's really no way you can put a price tag on that."

For more information, or to contact Easter Seals (National Easter Seal Society), see their website at: www.easter-seals.org