Verizon assists LADACIN Network

The Verizon Foundation, through its "Check Into Literacy" program, has awarded LADACIN Network a $9,000 grant to support its "Lifetime of Learning" literacy project for children and adults with disabilities.

LADACIN Network is a nonprofit agency that provides educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services for people with cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The agency currently serves 2,800 infants, children and adults and their families.

The grant awards are made possible by the donations of Verizon customers who donate $1 a month to literacy programs across New Jersey by checking off a box on their phone bill.

Patricia Carlesimo, LADACIN Network's executive director, expressed thanks on behalf of the entire agency.

"We are very appreciative of this funding and acknowledgement from the Verizon Foundation. In these challenging times, this type of support becomes more and more critical," Carlesimo said.

According to a press release, LADACIN received the funds to support its "Lifetime of Learning" literacy project at the Lehmann Center in Lakewood. The goal of the project is to remove barriers to literacy for children and adults with disabilities through the use of technology and intensive personal instruction.

The agency will use the grant award to purchase special literacy software and computer assisted technology, such as specialized keyboards and switches, to allow users with limited vision, range of motion and muscle control access to a computer.