.---.        .-----------
     /     \  __  /    ------
    / /     \(..)/    -----
   //////     \/     ---
  //// / // :    : ---
 // /   /  /`    '--
//          //..\\ @
       |----UU--UU----------------------------|
       |   '//||\\`     Project dERE Inc.     |
       |     ''``     (614) 478-dERE (3373)   |
       | http://users1.ee.net/coldir/dere.htm |
       |--------------------------------------|

   The disABLED Electronic Resource Exchange Project Inc. Project dERE Inc.
   Mark J. Tokarz - mtokarz@freenet.columbus.oh.us
   dERE~Net! BBS: 614-478-dERE 300-14,400 8,1,N 24/7
   Office Phone: 614-478-9940 answering machine (Leave address for more info)
   Main Interest Group: disABLED, Care Givers, teachers, etc.
   Offerings: Virtual Support Groups (VSG's), File Libraries, Online Games
   Cost: Sliding scale membership fee.

Project dERE Inc. is a newly established non-profit organization dedicated to
"providing the technology and knowledge for the disABLED to master the power
of electronic communication." dERE stands for the disABLED Electronic
Resource Exchange Project, Inc.  

Project dERE was started in June of 1993 by Mark Torkaz, (himself a person
with a neurological disorder called Hereditary Ataxia) to provide support to
disABLED persons, giving them the means and knowledge necessary to travel the
Information Superhighway.  Mark noted, through his participation in a medical
support bulletin board on PRODIGY, that many individuals were using the
electronic systems as their primary means of communicating sort of a Virtual
Support Group (VSG), with other people and organizations. He found that many
disABLED persons were using computers and modems to carry on productive lives
as engineers, programmers, accountants, etc., from their homes.  

Unfortunately, he also found that many disABLED persons, due to their current
financial situation, have been unable to take advantage of technology due to
the high cost of equipment, long distance communications, and even a lack of
awareness of the boundless horizons that technology is bringing to the world
of the disABLED person.  

Mark has established an electronic Bulletin Board System, the dERE~Net! BBS. 
He has begun to help disABLED persons with donations of used and overstocked
equipment from individuals and corporations.  It should be pointed out that
Project dERE can only supply what we get in as donations, currently most of
our systems are 286's and a few 386's sx s.  However these systems are useful
and can be used by many disABLED for all the same things that that the more
powerful systems can be used for, including the World Wide Web (WWW) useing
LYNX a text based browser.  

Project dERE provides systems and or system components to qualified
applicants, supports the 24 hour bulletin board, provides on-line-on-call
(OLOC) expert technological advice, and a quarterly hardcopy newsletter for
members. Membership in Project dERE is through payment of dues; or FREE for
those who are unable to afford the fee.  

More free systems and equipment will be provided as more items are received
from donors for refurbishment. If you would like to make a donation of
"outmoded" or "not in use" PC(s), PC compatible modems, printers, etc., we
will be glad to receive them! 

Please contact Project dERE Offices at 614-478-9940 and leave a message or
write us at:
	Project dERE Inc.
	4311 Portobello Dr.
	Gahanna, OH  43230
for more information about receiving equipment, donating equipment, or
joining Project dERE Inc.  One of dERE's staff members will return your call,
(usually within 72 hours).  If you would just like more information mailed to
you, leave your (snail) mail address.  

To find Project dERE on the Internet, gopher to Columbus freenet, choose no.
6 "Social and Community", then pick Project dERE Inc., or check out the World
Wide Web at:  http://users1.ee.net/coldir/dere.htm