People working at computers inside an office seen through a glass window.

Beginner-Level Computer Skill

When the state updated one of its reporting systems, we saw an opportunity not just to meet a mandate, but to truly support the people behind the work.

A clear training gap emerged within the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) team. Many staff members needed help with basic computer skills, navigating online Therap® training, and using essential software tools.

To meet this need, we created a Basic Computer Skills course tailored to real-life tasks. We held the sessions in a local library’s computer lab—a welcoming, low-pressure space that helped ease nerves and build confidence. For many participants, this shift in setting made all the difference, turning what could have been an overwhelming experience into an empowering one.

To kick things off, I conducted a skills gap assessment to get a clear picture of each employee’s comfort level with basic computer tasks. But I didn’t just focus on what they could do, I also paid close attention to how confident they felt doing it. That confidence piece is often overlooked, but it’s key to building lasting skills.

In this case, being able to use a computer and accurately document services wasn’t just helpful it was critical to the organization’s revenue flow. Getting it right mattered.

To ensure the training was both accurate and empowering, I became a certified Therap® trainer and led the in-person sessions myself. That hands-on approach helped create a supportive learning space where employees could ask questions, practice skills, and walk away feeling capable—not just compliant.

Computer Lab, Public Library

Development

The Basic Computer Skills project aimed to help people feel more confident with technology. I designed an instructor-led training program for a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) nonprofit that supports individuals with disabilities. The goal? Equip staff with essential computer skills and guide them through using Therap® an e-learning and documentation platform central to their daily work.

It wasn’t just about checking a box. It was about ensuring that every team member felt capable, supported, and ready to utilize the tools that help them perform their jobs and serve their community effectively.

An infographic titled 'IDT SLP Service Learning Project' with sections on project goal, objectives, scope, assumptions, and risks. The infographic uses icons like a checkmark inside a circle, a compass, an Instagram logo, an eye, and a lightning bolt, using colors orange, green, black, and blue.

Project Insights

Project Insights explores how the project is received, gathers user feedback, and showcases the tools used for ongoing development.

  • This Service Learning Project was designed with Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in mind dedicated individuals with a wide range of experience, from brand-new hires to those who had been serving their communities for years. These are the people on the front lines of care, supporting individuals with disabilities in meaningful, often life-changing ways.

    Because their experience levels varied so widely, the project needed to meet learners where they were offering support and new skills without ever feeling too basic or too advanced. The goal was to honor the expertise DSPs already brought to the table, while providing practical tools they could use right away to deepen their impact and feel even more confident in their roles.

  • Learners approached the experience with openness and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Many shared that the training helped them feel more confident, not just in meeting job expectations, but in navigating technology in a way that felt empowering and accessible.

    What truly stood out was an unexpected benefit that surfaced again and again: several participants realized that the skills they were gaining could serve them beyond the workplace. For some, it was the first time they felt capable of exploring the internet on their own. They talked about using it to look up health information, connect with friends and family, shop online, or manage personal appointments.

    For individuals who had previously felt intimidated by technology, this wasn’t just a training it was a turning point. It gave them the confidence to participate more fully in both their work and personal lives. And for many, it sparked curiosity and a desire to keep learning, long after the training ended.

    This is what learning can do when it’s thoughtfully designed: it doesn’t just build skills. It builds confidence, independence, and new possibilities.

  • Feedback from learners was thoughtful and varied, offering valuable insight for both trainers and administrators.

    The results were encouraging: 98% of participants successfully completed the course and were able to apply their new skills on the job right away. Many shared stories of using what they’d learned within days whether navigating a new system, completing documentation more confidently, or helping a coworker do the same.

    A small group, just 2%, needed a little extra support. For them, we provided one-on-one mentoring to help bridge the gap and ensure the skills transferred smoothly into their daily work.

    Because learning doesn’t stop at course completion it continues through coaching, practice, and support.

    • Microsoft Word

    • Microsoft PowerPoint

    • Adobe Photoshop

    • Facilitator